Category Archives: Uncategorized

Natural farming: Lifeline for Farmers

Business & Economy, Green Initiatives / Environment, Uncategorized

Intl. seminar on zero-budget farming by La Via Campesina

 

 

 

 

 

Caption: KRRS General Secretary Chukki Nanjundaswamy speaking at the seminar on natural farming held in city this morning. Picture right shows the pioneer of zero-budget farming Subhash Palekar, Nandini Jairam and Peter Rosset of La Via Campesina on the dais.

Mysore:

An international seminar on self-sustainable, zero-budget natural farming, propounded by international organisation La Via Campesina, was held under the aegis of Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha (KRRS) at Rani Bahadur auditorium in B.N. Bahaddur Institute here this morning.

Speaking on the occasion, Subhash Palekar, popularly known as Krishi Rishi, an exponent of natural farming and promoter of the concept of Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF), said that the State Government’s Organic Farming Mission must be closed as it is against the interests of farmers and favours multinationals. He urged the government not to confuse the farmers between natural farming, organic farming and the conventional method of farming.

Pointing out the drought prevailing in north Karnataka region and the continued spells of rain in southern region of the State even during November, Palekar said that it was due to changes in the environment which if unchecked, would lead to disastrous implications.

KRRS General Secretary Chukki Nanjundaswamy, delivering the inaugural address, expressed regret that those in power were least bothered about the farmers resorting to suicide throughout the nation and said that there was a need for authorities to contemplate on why the farmers became entangled in debts and how to bail the Annadatha out of the severe financial constraints which force them to take the extreme step.

Deploring the conventional method of farming, she said that it required huge investments by way of seeds (from company brands claiming to be of superior quality and high-yielding), chemical fertilisers, weedicides, insecticides etc., but fetched no profit either because of crop failure due to vagaries of nature or crash in prices caused by over-production or other reasons.

Chukki termed the State Government’s Organic Farming Mission as capitalist agriculture and called upon farmers to take up pro-farmer agri-practices.

Peter Rosset, a member of La Via Campesina, addressing the gathering, said that the agri-scientists who work within the labs lack first hand experience of farming in the field and hence, their research works go waste.

They need to be practical, keeping in mind the farmers’ limitations and must ensure that their research works reach the farmers and properly implemented. He also deplored the use of hybrids and advocated for natural farming using original breeds. He also spoke in favour of polyculture (mixed farming).

KRRS President K.S. Puttannaiah, Nandini Jairam and farmer delegates from Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Combodia, Scotland, Philippines, Mexico, Korea, Nigeria and Nepal were present.

Natural Farming: It needs no tilling, no fertilisers, no pesticides and no weeding. For about 60 years, Fukuoka Masanobu, Japan’s authority on natural farming, honed methods based on his theories. His book One-Straw Revolution addresses not only natural farming but also causes of environmental deterioration.

Intl. campaign for natural farming

Via Campesina is an international movement which co-ordinates farmers’ organisations of small and middle-scale producers, farm workers, rural women, and indi-genous communities from Asia, Africa, America and Europe.

It is a coalition of over 148 organisations, advocating family-farm-based sustainable agriculture and was the group that first coined the term “food sovereignty” which refers to the right to produce food on one’s own territory. Via Campesina has carried out a Global Campaign for Agrarian Reform since 1999.

Organised worldwide into nine regions, the group has members in 69 countries, with about 150 million members globally. The organisation was founded in 1993 by farmers’ organisations from Europe and Latin America. Its headquarters is in Jakarta, Indonesia. Henry Saragih is the General Secretary.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / General News / November 06th, 2011

 

‘Ekikarana’ movement: A timeline

About Bangalore(Bengaluru) / Karnataka, Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Uncategorized

The regions that make up for today’s Karnataka were under as many as 20 different administrative units with the princely state of Mysore, Nizam’s Hyderabad, the Bombay Presidency, the Madras Presidency and the territory of Kodagu being some of them.


* Under such circumstances, a need was felt among Kannadigas living in these various administrative units to form one state, which would unify all Kannada-speaking people in the various regions. This movement called the Ekikarana movement was led by litterateurs and thinkers.

* The Karnataka Vidyavardhaka Sangha was established in Dharwad in 1890. This was an important phase in the history of the unification movement. The Sangha was started by R H Deshpande who strove for the revival of Kannada in a region which was part of the Bombay Presidency where Marathi was the language of administration.

* It was later that the Kannada Sahitya Parishat (Bangalore) was set up (1915), which was another driving force in the unification movement.

* Alur Venkata Rao was the leading light of the unification movement. The publication of his Karnataka Gatha Vaibhava in 1912 gave a huge push in terms of a mass movement. He was known as the Kannada Kula Purohita or the ‘High priest of the Kannada family.’

* The States Reorganisation Commission was constituted by the Central government under the States Reorganisation Act and consisted of Hon. Fazal Ali, Kavalam Madhava Panikkar, and HN Kunzru.

* The recommendations of the Fazal Ali Committee was ratified by the Parliament, which meant that several disparate Kannada-speaking regions would now come under the Mysore State.
n The State was formed on November 1, 1956.

n It was on November 1, 1973, under Devaraj Urs as chief minister that the Mysore State was renamed as Karnataka.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com /by DHNS / Home> Supplements> Spectrum / Tuesday, November 01st, 2011

 

‘I SALUTE YOU SIR’ book on Pharma Science released

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Science & Technology, Uncategorized

 

 

 

 

 

Jayadeva Institute of Cardiology Director Dr. C.N. Manjunath releasing the book ‘I Salute You Sir’ at The Paradise in Yadavagiri on Sunday. Andolana Editor Rajashekar Koti, former Assembly Speaker Krishna and author of the book Dr. Basappa are seen.

Mysore, Oct. 25 (KCU)

– A book on the history of phamaceutical science ‘I Salute You Sir,’ which also throws light on the effort of scientists in discovering medicines, written by Dr. Basappa, Consultant Doctor at Apollo BGS Hospital, was released at The Paradise hotel in Yadavagiri on Sunday by Dr. C.N. Manjunath, Director, Jayadeva Institute of Cardiology, Bangalore.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Manjunath lauded Dr. Basappa for throwing light on the invaluable service of scientists to society and pointed out that the book would motivate doctors and medical students to pursue research in medicine.

Andolana Editor Rajashekar Koti, who unveiled a portrait of Louis Pasteur, opined that medical profession was truly dedicated to society and suggested to publish the book in Kannada also.

Presiding over the programme, former Assembly Speaker Kris-hna pointed out that scientists toiled almost their whole lives pursuing research in medicine at the cost of their personal comforts. Contrary to that, a few doctors were more engrossed in making money with no humanity, he regretted.

Dr. Basappa observed that se-veral scientists had entered into deep depression and ended their lives while being deeply engrossed in research work foregoing social life. He pointed out that his book showcased the usage of scientist’s invaluable inventions in society and the struggle and sacrifice behind that.

Dr. Lakshman welcomed. Arun proposed a vote of thanks.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / General News / October 25th, 2011

 

Celebrity Speak….: ‘Journey from nothing to something and something to everything’

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Uncategorized

 

Shree Bose, an Indian-origin US-based high school girl, won an award for her research on why a certain drug was resistant to chemotherapy and for finding a solution for it. Remember it was a research done by a high school girl. This was her dedication towards it. When you have dedication, you can go from nothing to something and from something to everything.”

This is how Sahasramukhi Raghavendra Rao (popularly called as Ragi Rao) describes his life. A high school graduate, who worked as a stenographer at the University of Mysore (UoM), went on to become a much-sought-after expressionist in India and abroad. He has been a dramatist, a marriage and party photographer, a percussionist and today, with all his past experience, he is teaching people how to handle stress by altering expressions of past experience.

Ragi Rao is in city on vacation and had a chat with Star of Mysore during which he spoke about his different faces, on and off stage.

It all started with Oliver Hardy Born on Nov. 23, 1937, Ragi Rao worked at University of Mysore (UoM) from 1958 to 1978. His life took a different turn in 1970s. “Apart from my job, I was also a dramatist. But one day while I was shaving, I was twisting my face and at one point it resembled that of Oliver Hardy. With practice and change of expression, I was able to alter that face into Adolf Hitler and Charlie Chaplin. I started entertaining people with this new-found talent and within two years came to limelight. The UoM recognised my talent and granted leave of absence for eight years. I started travelling across the country and earned the title ‘Sahasramukhi’ (Man of thousand faces). You need guts to make faces which will make others laugh,” he says.

Over the years, Ragi Rao has changed his face to resemble national personalities like Indira Gandhi, Swami Vivekananda, Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, Kuvempu etc., to international figures like Hitler, Hardy, Martin Luther King and Max Muller among others.

Ragi Rao’s first big performance was at the Indian Institute of World Culture in Bangalore. In 1978, Ragi Rao immigrated to the US. “It was difficult for me to get along in the US because of the language and accent. But I didn’t give up,” says Ragi Rao who is today a renowned expressionist in the US.

“You can play the role of Rama and Krishna because no one has seen how they look. But to imitate a non-fictional character is very difficult. A writer writes the character and an actor portrays the character. But an expressionist not only portrays but resembles the character,” he adds.

With his experience as an expressionist, Ragi Rao worked for three years as Counselling Assistant at Mid Columbia Mental Health Centre, where he had to recognise if the patient was psychotic, neurotic or manipulative.

Face behind the lens

“When I was around 13 years old, I got a Kodak box camera. That is when my interest in photography started. Later, my brother got two good cameras for me with which I improved my skills. After I started earning, I got around eight film cameras and made my hobby a profession. With the introduction of digital photography, I sold all my film cameras to buy digital ones. I practiced professional photography for the past 25 years. But now I have stopped as it is difficult for me to carry the weight,” says Ragi Rao.

With this skill, Ragi Rao had organised a photography exhibition on the religious sculptures from India at US to collect money for installing idols at a temple there. The photographs showcased the sculptures from Belur and Halebid temples.

Expressing through drums

“Devotion and intelligence are one and the same. If I get interested in something, I will do it with complete devotion,” says the expressionist who is also a self-trained percussionist. He plays the tabla, mrudanga, ghata, and a host of other percussion instruments along with vocal percussion which, he says, he learnt by seeing and plays by mere knack. He had also given a performance ‘Drums of India’ to raise fund for the victims of 2001 Gujarat earthquake.

And finally…

“Now after portraying so many faces and getting tired of it, I am teaching how to face different faces of life with the appropriate face. This is stress language. It teaches you how to tame and tune your emotions. And unless you know this language, you cannot live with stress,” he says. But what is this stress language? Here is Ragi Rao’s answer…

“You should know 26 alphabets to read, write and understand English. Likewise, the nine emotions — serenity, fury, disgust, pathos, terror, eroticism, heroism, comic and wonder — are like letters. By combining these nine, you can create more emotions. We have heard of anger management and laughter therapy. But I thought why just two expressions? Why not combine all?

“For this you will have to think of a situation that triggers the emotion. Then think of a prefix and suffix relating to good or bad. Good reminds you to do the same to handle such situations. Bad tells you not to repeat the same. For example, in case of anger — think of a situation which made you angry and what you did to tackle it. If the situation was handled well with your expression then do the same in future, or else, alter it for better results. Use the same method for all the nine emotions and you will be taming thousands of other emotions. This will help you control your facial and verbal expressions, thereby helping you overcome tough situations in life.

“With common sense, an individual can make his/her personal tools to express and act with appropriate degree of verbal and facial expression to win situations.

“Physiognomy is not just an art but a science as well. Your facial and verbal expressions should match. If not, what you are telling may be a lie. Hence you should always live with the reality. You should not hide what you are. Ten persons may laugh at you for it but 990 will laugh with you.

“My main motto is not just to make faces to make others laugh and get away with it, but to show with this laughter, how to tame your face and live life better.”

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Feature Articles / by M.S. Apuurva / October 28th, 2011

Famous Kotpad Handloom fabric and Ikat registered as geographical indications

Business & Economy, Uncategorized, , , , , , , , ,

New Delhi:

Orissa’s famous famous Kotpad Handloom fabric and Ikat registered with Geographical Indications (GI) Registry. (Darjeeling tea has been registered twice in the GI Registry).

Darjeeling tea is among the 28 Indian products registered with the Geographical Indications (GI) Registry. (Darjeeling tea has been registered twice in the GI Registry). The other products are: Pochampally Ikat (Andhra Pradesh); Chanderi saree (Guna, Madhya Pradesh); Kotpad Handloom fabric (Koraput, Orissa); Kota Doria (Kota, Rajasthan); Kancheepuram silk (Tamil Nadu); Bhavani Jamakkalam (Erode, Tamil Nadu); Mysore Agarbathi (Mysore, Karnataka); Aranmula Kannadi (Kerala); Salem fabric (Tamil Nadu); Solapur terry towel (Maharashtra); Mysore silk (Karnataka); Kullu shawl (Himachal Pradesh); Madurai Sungudi (Tamil Nadu); Kangra tea (Himachal Pradesh); Nanjanagud banana (Karnataka); Mysore sandalwood oil (Karnataka);  Mysore sandal soap (Karnataka); Bidriware (Karnataka); Channapatna toys & dolls (Karnataka); Coimbatore wet grinder (Tamil Nadu); Mysore rosewood inlay (Karnataka); Kasuti embroidery (Karnataka); Mysore traditional paintings (Karnataka) and Orissa Ikat (Orissa).

A Geographical Indications Registry with all India jurisdiction operates in Chennai, as per the Geographical Indication of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act 1999. Under the Act, agricultural, natural or manufactured goods originating or manufactured in the territory of a country, or a region or locality in that territory, where a given quality, reputation or other characteristic of such goods is essentially attributable to its geographical origin and in cases where such goods are manufactured goods, one of the activities of either production or of processing or preparation of the goods concerned takes place in such territory, region or locality, are registrable as Geographical Indications. Whether a particular product is registrable or not is determined by the Registrar of Geographical Indications, on receipt of the application.
Geographical Indications registration gives to the registered proprietor and its authorised users, the legal right to the exclusive use of the GI and also the right to obtain relief in case of its infringement. Exclusion of unauthorized persons from misusing GI would ensure that genuine products of the rightful producers are marketed.

source: http://www.orissadiary.com / Thursday Nov 09th, 2006

He’s Closer to ‘Best Job in the World’

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Uncategorized, , , , , , ,

best job Anjaan Hamilton Island Australia Balgalore Island caretaker tourism queensland

India’s Anjaan is another step closer to securing “the best job in the world” in Australia.

The 28-year-old programme manager / radio DJ fromBangalore has again made the cut to remain in the running for the “Island Caretaker” job for Hamilton Islandin sunny Queensland, Australia.

From an initial shortlist of 50 (out of 34,000), Anjaan is now one of 16 people from around the world shortlisted for final interviews on Hamilton Island early May.

The job requires the successful applicant to look after the island (explore and write a daily blog, clean the pool, feed the fish) for a period of six months – all for a staggering $188,000 (A$150,000).

The high publicity campaign is part of Tourism Queensland’s bid to promote the region. Anjaan RJ likes to swim – a lot, which is a useful skill to have as a shortlisted finalist for the Best Job in the World.

Anjaan 28, describes himself as an entertainer, storyteller and beach bum who is also skilled in Bollywood dancing. His love for connecting to people led him to radio more than a decade ago and in his current role, Anjaan sells creative ideas and concepts every day.

“I paint pictures with my words daily on radio, and have transported people to different worlds with my blogs, photographs and articles,” says Anjaan.

If selected as Island Caretaker, Anjaan plans to bring along his motivation and soul-mate – wife Amrita.

“We were impressed with Anjaan’s exuberant and quirky nature which came across in his many media interviews and well established (and well read) blog,” Tourisn Queensland said.

Kim Jagtiani, from Maharashtra, who was also among the shortlisted 50, did not make the top 16 list.

Other candidates are from New Zealand, Australia, Canada, Germany, Malaysia, Singapore, China, Britain, United States, Ireland, Japan, Netherlands, and Taiwan.

The final 16 will be brought to Hamilton Island May 3-6 for more interviews in the final selection process. The successful candidate will be announced on May 6, and the Island Caretaker starts his/her job on July 1.

Stretching the Queensland coastline, the Islands of the Great Barrier Reef offer visitors a unique chance to live among the single largest living thing in the world. The surface of the Coral Sea divides the Great Barrier Reef into two completely different universes – explore the reefs below the water and experience the life above on the stunning islands.

You, the public, can view the final 16 at www.islandreefjob.com

source: http://www.indianweekender.co.nz / by Arvind Kumar / Friday Apr 03rd, 2009

Mangalore : A tete-a-tete with Suniel Shetty

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Uncategorized

MANGALORE:

“I will support India at Mohali tomorrow” says Suniel Shetty 

Mangalore has produced many celebrities in the world of visual arts and among them the most visible have been our film stars; and when they come from the glamorous world of Bollywood, they bring with them an aura of star appeal that is by and large irresistible to the general public.

One of the most vibrant communities in Mangalore – the Bunt Community, has perhaps contributed the maximum number of film stars to Bollywood and Mangalore is especially proud of them.  Suniel Shetty is one such star who despite having spent nearly 20 years in the film industry remains to date a humble son of the soil.

Born on August 11, 1961, in Mulki near Mangalore, Suniel Shetty initially did Bollywood films that stereotyped him as an action hero.  Over the years, he has given his share of hits as well as flops but more recently he has been showing his acting prowess in an entirely different category; that of comedy.  Undoubtedly he has grown as an actor and today dons many roles in real life – that of an actor, businessman, family man and loyal friend to many.  Affectionately known as ‘Anna’ or elder brother he is exactly that to all his ardent admirers, many of them fellow Mangaloreans.

On the morning of March 29th, Suniel Shetty spoke exclusively to mangalorean.com and answered a few of our questions.  He said it was imperative that he left for Mumbai today as he had full plans of being there at Mohali to cheer the Indian Cricket Team tomorrow.  However, despite his hectic travel schedule he was in his usual charming self and answered all our questions very patiently.

You are going to complete 50 yrs in August this year. But you don’t look like you’re about to hit a half century. How do you manage to maintain your physique? Do you have a strict physical fitness routine?

Suniel:  Yes, physical fitness means a lot to me.  I believe that feeling physically fit and having control of our own body will improve our mental health.  Whatever I am today is because I maintain a strict physical fitness regime.  I am very strict with my food habits and I exercise a lot to keep myself fit.

You are popularly known as ‘Anna’ meaning elder brother. How did you get this name?

Suniel: It is because of my relationships within the film industry. Sanjay Dutt and I are in very good terms and I have received all the love and affection from him. In the film Industry Sunjay Dutt is called as Baba, Salman Khan as Bhai, Jackie Shroff as Dada and Suniel Shetty is called as Anna.  I like to be named as Anna because most of the people from film Industry call me “Anna” because they think of me as an elder brother.

What made you to join the film industry?

Suniel: I was practicing Karate and tried my best to be good in action oriented roles. When the opportunity came to me I grabbed it with both hands.

Can you tell us a little about your family? Your roots in Mangalore?

Suniel: I am from Mulky Padumane. I was brought up in Mumbai but I spent my entire childhood holidays in Mulky and Bappanadu was my playground. Bappanadu Temple is still my prayer place. My parents are from Mulky and I was born in Mulky.

You are both a businessman and an actor. Which profession is closer to your heart? Do you prefer to be known as Suniel the businessman or Suniel the actor?

Suniel: Suniel the actor made Suniel the business man. I am not doing more movies now. In twenty years of acting I have acted in 125 movies. My next film ‘Thank You’, (a comedy and romance) movie will be released on 8th April 2011. I would love to continue as an actor, but my business interests will always remain.

What are your business interests in your hometown Mangalore? We know you own a hotel and a clothing line here? Can you tell us more about it?

Suniel: The Clothing line ‘Mischief’ and Hotel in Mangalore are no longer mine.   I wanted to do something in my hometown Mangalore and so I have invested in the Mega Malls.  Right now I am involved only with the Mega Malls.

We have heard that you have a black belt in Kick Boxing. Where did you learn this?

Suniel: Yes, I learnt kick boxing in Mumbai and I have a black belt in it. It not only helps me to keep fit but it’s also useful when I do my action scenes.

You have done all kinds of roles in Bollywood films – Drama, Action, and Patriotic. You have been a soldier, villain, action hero, romantic hero etc – what kind of role do you feel most comfortable in?

Suniel: Yes, I am happy that I have done all kinds of roles in Bollywood films.  It has been a wonderful experience to work as an action hero, romantic hero, soldier and even a villain, but I like to work best in patriotic films.  This is where I feel I am playing a real life hero, one that is closest to reality.  This is why I like J P Dutta films.

You have given one of your biggest hits ‘Dhadkan’ with fellow Mangalorean Shilpa Shetty. We had heard talk of two films with another Mangalorean Aishwarya Rai. Except for a guest appearance in ‘Kyon Ho Gaya Na’ the other films didn’t happen?

Suniel: Yes, both the films with Aishwarya had problems; the director and the producers had issues within themselves. Because of the misunderstanding between the producer and director the films did not work out.  I regret this as both Aishwarya and Shilpa, being fellow bunts are my favourite persons in the industry.

Who is your all time favorite heroine?

Suniel: My favourite heroines are not one but many.   My all time favourites are Nargis, Kajol, Shilpa Shetty and Aishwarya Rai.  They have all done a very good job in the film industry.

Your favourite male co-star?

Suniel: Sunjay Dutt is my all time favourite male co-star.

Like all other Indians I’m sure you too are a big fan of Cricket. Any comments on the forthcoming India/Pakistan match?

Suniel: Yes, I am leaving to Mohali tomorrow to watch the cricket match between India and Pakistan and I am hoping against hope that India will definitely win this match.  Let’s hope for the best.

How often do you travel to Mangalore? What is it about Mangalore that you like the best? What is it about Mangalore you would like to change for the better?

Suniel: I like Mangalore a lot not only because I come from Mangalore but because Mangalore has so many things to like.  I love the food and the lovely people who are so hardworking.  I love the fantastic beaches, the number of temples here and the hospitality that comes so naturally to everyone.  There is always scope for improvement and I think Mangalore should improve in some fields like continuous electricity, infrastructure and more connectivity.

source: http://www.mangalorean.com / By Violet Pereira / Mangalore / Mar 29th, 2011

 

Bangalore, Mysore get Women Mayors

Uncategorized, ,
The Bangalore and Mysore city corporations Friday got women mayors, the former from the Bharatiya Janata Party and the latter from the Congress.
 

R. Sharadamma, 45, elected for the first time to the BBMP (Greater Bangalore City Corp), was elected mayor unopposed as the Congress and the Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) did not field a candidate.

 

Sharadamma is the fifth woman mayor of Bangalore though she gets the credit of being the first woman mayor of the BBMP. The BJP is controlling BBMP for the first time.

Pushpalatha Chikkanna, 40, of the Congress defeated her BJP rival to become the fourth woman mayor of Mysore, about 140 km from Bangalore. Her husband Chikkanna had earlier been the Mysore mayor. A Congress-JD-S coalition rules the Mysore city corporation.

 

Source: http://www.deccanherald.com / IANS / April 29th, 2011