Mayor R. Lingappa and Dr. C.G. Betsurmath seen receiving the ‘Best City’ award from Urban Development Minister Venkaiah Naidu while the founder-publisher and editor-in-chief of India Today Aroon Purie (extreme left), and India Today editorial adviser Shekhar Gupta (extreme right) look on.
Mysuru :
Mysuru, the Cultural Capital of Karnataka, which had been adjudged the second cleanest city in the country in the past has now been awarded the ‘Best City’ award by the Union Urban Development Ministry following the findings of a survey conducted by India today.
It may be noted that the heritage city of Mysuru, also known as the city of Palaces has been included in the list of 100 cities in India to be developed as ‘Smart City’ under the ambitious plans of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The award was handed over to Mayor R. Lingappa by Urban Development Minister Venkaiah Naidu at a function in New Delhi on Friday in the presence of MCC Commissioner Dr. C.G. Betsurmath.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / Monday , November 23rd, 2014
Dogs with their owners participating in the first ever exhibition of Indian breed of dogs in Bagalkot city on Sunday./ The Hindu
On Sunday, Bagalkot set the record of becoming the first city in the country to host the first ever exhibition of dogs only of Indian breed.
The extravagant event in which around 230 canines of different breeds had gathered to showcase their strength and sense of obedience, was organised by Society for Indian Breeds of Dogs (SIBD), an affiliated body to Kennel Club of India.
“It is just great to see so many different dogs here”, said Shalini Asnotikar, an Engineering student of Mangalore who is a dog lover. Though dogs of breeds such as Pashmi, Combai, Rajapalayam and Caravan hound were present, the dominating among them were the local, Mudhol hound breed.
B.C. Ramakrishna,president of SIBD, said that Mudhol hound, one of the domestic breeds, had got itself registered in the league of international breed of dogs. “ It is surely a matter of great pride for us”, he said.
Informing that the Union Government, in the recognition of Mudhol hound, had released a stamp, he said that this breed is being developed as sniffer dog for police and security personnel for its sharp memory and obedience.
With this lean yet sturdy physique and pointed face, Mudhol hounds instantly caught the attraction of the people during the event.
Sharing his opinion, Raju Anneppanavar, one of the participants who owns a Mudhol hound, said that the event encourages the canine owners and also to people to raise the dog as pet. The objective of the event was to spread awareness about the Indian breed of dogs, protect and promote them, Mr. Ramakrishna said.
Claiming that India once was home to 27 varieties of domestic dogs, he regretted that the owing to negligence, the country had lost some of the best breeds forever. “ Today, we have only seven Indian breeds, and if not protected, we may lose them too”, he said.
Earlier, inaugurating the event, District In-charge Minister, S. R. Patil promised to get an ambulance for dogs as demanded by Mudhol Dog Research and Information Centre, Timmapur. He also assured get a multi-special hospital built for canines at the centre with the help of Union Government.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National> Karnataka / by Firoz Rozindar / Bagalkot – November 16th, 2014
Gender discrimination can’t suppress the spirit of achievement. The best example is Smitha Lakshmana, the first woman from Karnataka to climb Mount Everest, situated at a height of 29,035 feet (8,848 metres) above sea level. She now aspires to climb all the major peaks in the world.
Climbing Mount Everest in freezing conditions is extremely dangerous and is a dream for many. Twenty-year-old Smitha took up mountaineering a year ago, when the Indian Army Women’s Everest Expedition-2012 invited applications. She was one among 22 people selected to take part in the adventure and successfully reached the summit.
After selection, she underwent special fitness training in Siachen. She now plans to climb 13 peaks of the world which are about 8,000 metres high. “From childhood, I dreamt of doing something adventurous. When I was selected, my joy knew no bounds. Though I fell sick because of bad weather conditions while climbing Mount Everest, I overcame the difficulties,” says Smitha.
“Among a group of 22, 17 of us climbed Everest. We started trekking on May 15 from Kathmandu and reached the top on May 25. It was delayed for seven days due to bad weather. The 20 minutes spent atop Everest is a dream come true. The scenic beauty was marvelous,” she said. Hailing from a middle class family, Smitha is from Bangalore and is a Captain in the Indian Army. Her parents are from Devalapura hobli, Nagamangala Taluk, Mandya district and her younger brother Sagar is an agriculturist.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Karnataka / by K. Rathna, Mysore / October 29th, 2012
Winston Churchill came to Bangalore in October 1896 as a young army officer and left three years later to fight in the North West Frontier, now in Pakistan.
In his book, My Early Life he writes, “The climate of Bangalore, at more than 3,000 ft above sea level, is excellent. The sun even at midday is temperate and the mornings and evenings are fresh and cool.”
In the days Churchill made Bangalore his home, it was not a bustling city with bright lights. It was then a sleepy cantonment town with little to offer in the way of amusement to young soldiers. Churchill himself wrote that he found the city boring. He spent most of his time reading and collecting butterflies. He described the house alloted to him as ‘a magnificent pink and white stucco palace in the middle of a large and beautiful garden’. And he was well served by his staff, that included a gardener, a water-carrier, a dhobi, and a watchman.
Old timers in Bangalore will remember Victoria Hotel opposite Mayo Hall, which has now been demolished and replaced by a shopping mall. This was the place where Churchill used to read his morning paper. Churchill was also a member of the Bangalore Club.
After eight months in Bangalore, he wrote to his mother in a letter about his life in Bangalore, “Poked away in a garrison town…out of season and without the sea, with lots of routine work and … without society or good sport—half my friends on leave and the other half ill—my life here would be intolerable were it not for the consolations of literature…”
Chirs Wrigley in his book, Winston Churchill: A biographical companion, writes that it was in Bangalore that he met Pamela Plowden, daughter of an Indian civil servant based at Hyderabad. He was much enamoured by her at their first meeting.
Photo exhibition at Halasuru Metro Station displays rich heritage of the area
On Saturday afternoon, the staircase at Halasuru Metro Station turned into a mini-auditorium as a group of people sat there listening to each other’s narration about Ulsoor’s history. The concourse also exhibited Ulsoor’s rich heritage through photographs.
Halasuru, a bustling area in the heart of the city, has a tower built by Immadi Kempe Gowda, son of Hiriya Kempe Gowda, the founder of Bangalore. The tower is among the four built by him to mark the extent to which Bengaluru would grow. The lake in Halasuru is manmade, which served as a source of drinking water in the past. Now, it is an important water body for the city, an ecological landmark.
There are several streets named after the Mudaliars, a group that migrated from Arcot, Tamil Nadu, and took up posts in the British administration or became contractors, mining barons, merchants and philanthropists. One philanthropist was Rai Bahadur Arcot Narrainswamy Mudaliar, who founded RBANMS.
Meera Iyer, Co-Convener, Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH), said the exhibition included oral history traditions.
Memory wall
Excerpts taken from people who spoke of what they remembered were posted on a ‘memory wall’.
One, written by Damodaran Sekhar, said, “In the 1950s, Halasuru lake was completely dry. Except for an island near MEG and Centre, all islands were accessible. We would go there by foot and it was a wonderful sight. The area around the Kempe Gowda tower was a picnic spot.”
Another post said the chariot of Someshwara Temple was made of rock. Yet another said that peacocks were seen every day in the temple area.
Exhibition
The exhibition has been organised by INTACH and Rangoli Metro Art Center, Bangalore Metro Rail Corportaion Ltd.
Vasantha Rao, General Manager, BMRCL, said the project could be replicated in other areas, such as Malleswaram and Basavanagudi, which have a history.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Bangalore / by Renuka Phadnis / Bengaluru – November 02nd, 2014
KA Hospitality which has pioneered introducing international luxury dining restaurants in the country is to open Yauatcha in Bangalore.
The company in short span has brought Hakkasan and Yauatcha, the Michelin Starred restaurant from London in to India. The first restaurant opened in Mumbai, a couple of years ago and now company has ventured into Bangalore. “Yauatcha is a Michelin-starred Dim Sum restaurant from London and the uniqueness of the restaurant is the very concept of being a tea and dim sum house with a modern interpretation of the traditional Chinese teahouse,” Nitin Motwani, CEO, KA hospitality told Business Line.
The restaurants specialises in offering over 50 different types of dim sums, special vegetarian delights and an array of desserts. Motwani said “The uniqueness of the restaurant is the very concept of being a tea and dim sum house with a modern interpretation of the traditional Chinese teahouse which offers over 50 different types of dim sums, special vegetarian delights and an array of desserts. Yauatcha a 150 seat restaurant offers an all-day dining with dim sums, wok preparations, macaroons and petit gateaux. The restaurant is located at 1 MG Road Mall, MG Road.
anil.u@thehindu.co.in
source: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com / Business Line / Home> News> National / by Anil Urs / Bangalore – September 15th, 2014
Indian Coast Guard Hovercraft H-196, the third series of Air Cushion vehicle (ACV) built by UK, arrives at Panambur Beach in Mangalore on Monday.
In what will boost the patrolling capabilities of the Indian Coast Guard in the State, the first of the two hovercraft arrived in Mangalore on Monday. This is the first time a hovercraft will be stationed in the State.
On a sunny morning, the amphibious vehicle rode the waves, skimming over choppy waters, before parking on Panambur beach near the ICG, Karnataka headquarters.
With this acquisition, the hovercraft that has a speed of 45 knots (90 kmph) becomes the fastest vehicle in the coast guard fleet in the State.
“Not only is it fast, it can also go to areas where our ships cannot go. For example, the ships have to keep an eye on the depth of the sea and so cannot approach the shore or have to be wary of shallow seas. The hovercraft can easily land on the shore,” said Gulvinder Singh, Commandant of the hovercraft. He leads a team of 11 men.
Manufactured in the United Kingdom, the Hovercraft H-196 is 21m long and will be used for surveillance, search-and-rescue, emergency missions and to provide assistance to smaller boats at sea.
Coast guard officers said the craft is armed with heavy machine guns, radar and satellite communication — allowing it to effectively keep an eye on the 320-km long Karnataka coastline.
Mr. Singh said the crew had obtained specialised training in London and have been operating the craft along the coast since September. The Coast Guard expects the arrival of the second hovercraft within ten days.
The vehicles will be stationed in a makeshift centre at Panambur, close to the ICG Karnataka headquarters until a permanent hoverport facility will be developed over a 15-acre site at Tannirbhavi beach.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National> Karnataka / by Mohit M. Rao / Mangalore – September 22nd, 2014
Superbikes and classy Royal Enfields are luring youngsters and young professionals.
But a distinctive motorbike group is trying to popularise the country-made Yezdi and Jawa bikes. No longer being manufactured, these bikes are more like a vintage item. Therefore, in an attempt to bring owners of these bikes together, Gursaurabh Singh started the ‘Yezdi and Jawa Club’ five years ago.
“Initially we were not active on the social networking sites. It was three years back when we started our page on Facebook to get connected to a maximum number of people,” says Singh, who started the group along with his avid-biker cousin Inderjeet Singh.
“At that time we were the only members. Gradually the number increased to five and now there are a 100 Yezdi and Jawa owners who are a part of this group.”The group expanded when Singh used to takehis 1978 model for maintenance at a local mechanic shop in Rajouri Garden.
“Mechanics did their role in giving strength to this group. They mentioned about the club to other people and they approached us. Now, every week atleast two to three people approach us for joining this club.”
As the number is increasing so are the rides and meetings. Considering the fact the bike does not give mileage like any other superbike, the group prefers not to take off on any long distance ride. “We have been to Alwar, Jaipur, Chandigarh, Ludhiana and Nainital, besides doing rounds within the City,” says Singh.
Given that the maintenance of the bike is a costly affair, most of the owners are extra careful about its upkeep and health. Says Singh, “If we run the bike for 10,000 kilometres we have to pay just the double of it as maintenance. Also, there are some parts which are not available in the market. For this we have to ask the mechanic to especially make it or procure it. Even some parts which are still available can be availed from only limited shops in the city.”
Thirty-year-old Singh, who is the proud owner of Yezdi, loves the motorbike for its looks. “It has got a unique identity. Even the ‘vroom’ of this bike is distinctive. It forces people to turn around and give it more than a second look. I bought my bike from my neighbour in 2001 and since then I am taking care of it.”
But the young biker reveals a fondness for the 1964 model, which is the oldest model of the bike in the club. “It was imported from Czechoslovakia at that time. It is beautiful,” says Singh.
source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> Metrolife / by Archana Mishra / DHNS – October 08th, 2014
Nearly five lakh people from across the globe yesterday converged on the Royal Route from the Palace to Bannimantap to witness Jumboo Savari, the spectacular event of the 404th edition of grandiose Mysore Dasara which ended on a colourful note.
The regal procession, which was inaugurated by Chief Minister Siddharamaiah by offering puja to Nandi Dhwaja in front of the Kote Anjaneyaswamy temple adjacent to the North Gate of the Palace at about 1.05 pm in the auspicious Dhanur Lagna, comprised of as many as 71 cultural troupes including 12 troupes from States like Assam, West Bengal, Tibet, Telangana, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Chattisgarh, along with 45 tableaux passing through the Royal Route with elephant Balarama leading Gajendra, Gopi, Prashant, Harsha, Vikram, Varalakshmi from the front to reach Bannimantap at about 4.45pm.
Cultural troupes: As many as 71 cultural troupes highlighting the cultural features of many districts in the State and other States were part of the attractive Jumboo Savari.
Arjuna’s hat-trick: The majestic howdah elephant Arjuna, who carried the idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari from the Palace to Bannimantap during the Jumboo Savari yesterday for the third year successively, achieved a hat-trick.
Three-tier security for Howdah: About 40 personnel, armed with AK-47 assault rifles provided a three-tier security to the 750 kg Golden Howdah, along with personnel from KSRP.
Commandant Ramdas Gowda, speaking to SOM, said that Assistant Commandant Mahadevaiah, Inspector Basavanna who are trained by Commandos of National Security Guards (NSG), supervised the security arrangements around the Howdah which has been insured for Rs. 15 crore.
The caparisoned Arjuna, at his majestic best, flanked by Kumki elephants Mary and Kaveri, carried the idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari, the presiding deity of Mysore, placed inside the 750 kg Golden Howdah to the accompaniment of recital of classical music by Palace artistes, which was inaugurated by Chief Minister Siddharamaiah inside the Palace premises at 3.16 pm, who showered floral petals to the idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home>General News / Friday, October 05th, 2014
BMTC launched an electric bus at Shantinagar Bus Station on Thursday; Right: A view of the interiors | Sudhakara Jain
The Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) introduced the country’s first electric zero-emission bus in the city on Thursday.
Although the bus has been in Bangalore for over a month now, it was officially launched by Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy after getting the required permissions from the Transport Department.
The bus will run on a trial basis for the next three months. During this time, it will operate along various routes, beginning with one from Majestic to Kadugodi that is likely to cost `80.
Plans are also afoot to run the bus along the airport routes. The charging point for the bus is at the Volvo depot at Majestic.
“We will study whether the bus is economical and if it can function efficiently in the city. When the battery is fully charged (six hours), the bus can run for about 250 km, which is ideal for BMTC. However, this needs to be tested. We also need to see how it fares on various roads in the city and which routes are best suited to operate the bus,” said BMTC managing director Anjum Parvez.
Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy said that though the bus is expensive, it is likely to be a good deal as a long-term investment.
“The bus costs about `2.7 crore and this is expensive. But this is one bus in the entire country. Once the demand for the bus goes up and more people express interest in purchasing it, the rates are likely to come down. Moreover, the research and development wings of various bus manufacturers are working on this and it is some only time before the initial cost of the bus is reduced,” he said.
When asked if the state government would be willing to share the cost or offer subsidies, Reddy said, “We will consider various options if the bus is found to be suitable for the city. At present, it is on a three-month trial and following this, a decision will be taken on whether or not to purchase the bus,” he said. He added that what was important was that pollution levels would be brought down by using electric buses, hybrid or CNG-operated buses. The bus, manufactured by Build Your Dreams (BYD), was brought to India by Utopia Pvt Ltd. At least 5,000 such buses are operational in countries such as the United States, Netherlands, Switzerland and some European countries.
GOING GREEN
Zero emission
No oil required
Costs Rs 2.7 crore (Volvo Rs 88 lakh)
Fare from Majestic to Kadugodi – Rs 80
Runs for 250 km with 6 hours of charging
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Bangalore / by Express News Service- Bangalore / February 28th, 2014
