The students of the NMAM Institute of Technology with the trophy at 38th series State -level Student Project Seminar and Exhibition at Adyar in Mangaluru recently.
The NMAM Institute of Technology, Nitte, was adjudged for the Best Performing College of 2014-15 during the 38th State-level Student Project Seminar and Exhibition organised by the Karnataka State Council for Science and Technology at Sahyadri College of Engineering and Management at Adyar on August 20 and 21.
In a press release issued here, Niranjan N. Chiplunkar, principal of the NMAM Institute of Technology, said the award was presented by president of Institution of Engineers (India) Muralikrishna Reddy at the event. The project ‘Ethanol production from pure glycerol using Bacillus cereus ’ by final year B.E. students Samiyabanu, Krupa and Deepak, was awarded best project in the Biofuels category.
Another project ‘Unipolar SPWM-based Reactive Power Compensator’ by students Nishanth, Sourabh, Apoorva and Madhumita, was awarded best project in the seminar category. About 97 engineering colleges all over the State participated in the seminar and exhibition.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National> Karnataka / by Ganesh Prabhu / Udupi – August 25th, 2015
Shining bright in the dark room The Majolly Project is proving its mettle with its first single.
Bands get a few gigs, go into the studio and think of an album. For us it is backwards with our debut single getting us recognition.
Bengaluru knows Neecia Majolly as a reputed concert pianist, Western classical and music theatre vocalist, conductor, teacher and composer. Until recently, however, not many knew that Neecia also dabbled in progressive rock and classical electronic music with her band, The Majolly Project.
“Yes! This is new territory for me since I’ve always been associated with classical and choral music,” she tells MetroPlus.
“To be very frank, I’ve always wanted to be a rock chick since I was a teenager!” she laughs. “It is just that I’ve been classically trained and I’ve been good at it. But TMP has been a long time coming. I’ve been trying for years to get this together in a completely opposite direction to what I was doing so far. It was so difficult to find the right and committed musicians. It was only in September last year that I got the two other musicians together and we started off with TMP.”
Neecia adds: “A lot of people are surprised that Neecia Majolly has an alter ego – classical musician by day and rock chick by night,” she laughs heartily. “Playing classical music has its own creativity in terms of interpretation, but this has brought out a whole new side of creativity for me since it is something of my own. I am also not trying to appeal to popular tastes. But people like it so far.”
Their first single got two golds at the recently held Global Music Awards, making them the only winners from India.
Released in June, their single titled ‘Dark Room’ has also received a nomination for Rock Song Of The Year by The International Music and Entertainment Association.
While Neecia is songwriter and arranger for TMP, Ashwin Shekhar is on percussion while keyboardist Anish Thomas Panikkar does the programming as well.
“It is really exciting for us since this is our first single and we did not expect it to get so much attention. I don’t think this is something bands in India do often. This is quite special for us. In fact I think we are working backwards. Bands get a few gigs, perform for some time, go into the studio and then think of a single and an album. For us it is backwards with our debut single getting us recognition,” she says.
‘Dark Room’, a poignant dark composition of voice and piano, is a very personal song, says the composer. “It’s got something to do with a lot of what I was experiencing as an artiste. People like me find it best to take that personal experience and express it in the form of music. ‘Dark Room’ is a result of that experience. Many say it’s very haunting and touches people where it needs to.”
Neecia adds that all their upcoming singles deal with personal issues. “Mostly by this month end, we will release our second single titled ‘White Bone’ that dwells more on the influences that TMP exudes in the classic progressive rock soundscape. Dark Room, though our first single, touches only a little of the sound that TMP is all about. It is personal and connects with people. The second single is very powerful. It’s on the illegal ivory trade that we feel strongly about.”
The multifaceted artiste points out that they have a bunch of songs ready for an album. “I just hope that someone becomes kind to us and funds our album,” she beams. “It’s not easy to do an album all on your own. So we will wait and see now that we have people’s attention.” On the sound, she adds that none of their songs are feel good. “None of them will make you snap your fingers or clap your hands or feel happy. This is serious stuff,” she admits.
The song, however, fits well with the listening audience in Bengaluru. Neecia agrees: “Bangalore has much more of a taste for rock and metal than any other city. In Bangalore, there is an audience for everything. We are luck that way. It is also easier now for people to listen to music, thanks to social media and online platforms.” She adds that earlier a lot of bands used to play covers. “No one is really keen on that anymore. That also is an inspiration for bands like us to do our music. The audience accepts and loves it when bands play their own music. These changes are good for us.”
Looking ahead, Neecia says the awards and nomination has given them validation for their efforts. “I want it to be as big as we can,” she sums up. Check out The Majolly Project on Facebook, Reverbnation, Soundcloud and Youtube.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Features> MetroPlus / by Allan Moses Rodricks /Bengaluru – August 22nd, 2015
“No clues, No clues,” came the fervent pleas from a crowd of 1,200 students from 200 schools, as they competed for a place in the finals of the Times NIE Quizomania 2015-16. It was held jointly with the State Bank of India at The Cathedral High School, Bengaluru, on Thursday.
The excitement and tension was palpable from the word go, as quizmaster Giri ‘Pickbrain’ Balasubramanium took them through 20 questions in the preliminary round, before 12 schools made it to the semifinals. Presidency School, RT Nagar, walked away with the winning trophy.
They also got an impromptu cash prize of Rs 10,116, from Vijaya Kumar, general manager-network II of SBI, St Mark’s Road.
From Viv Richards starting his cricketing career from K Chinnaswamy Stadium to RBI governor Raghuram Rajan starring in the Oscar-winning documentary ‘Inside Job’, to Fauntelroy being Donald Duck’s middle name, the students had answers to almost all the questions.
Chief general manager of SBI Rajni Mishra said: “Some of the questions bowled me over; the children know so much today. I am often asked where I see India going economically, and today I can say that India is going to be No 1 in the world soon. We will have brilliant scientists, entrepreneurs and leaders,” she said.
Isabella Simon, principal of The Cathedral High School, said quizzing is a fun way to learn and gather information. CEO of Greycaps India Pvt. Ltd Giri Balasubramanium said he was delighted to see so many girls taking to quizzing. “Girls opening up to a mind sport like quizzing is a fantastic new trend. The comfort level the youngsters have with all the information around them is also amazing,” he said.
The winners, Aymen Maqsood and Bavadharini Manohar attributed their success to the 40-minute quiz they have in school every day, and reading the newspaper. The prizes to the winners were sponsored by Vedantu.com. General manager-network I, YV Ramana Murthy was among those who gave away the prizes.
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City> Bengaluru / by Santrupti Rajankar, TNN / August 21st, 2015
Raam Reddy with his awards at the Locarno Film Festival in Switzerland
Just weeks after Neeraj Ghaywan’s Masaan won laurels at the Cannes film festival, another Indian film has won two awards at the Locarno Film Festival in Switzerland. Thithi, directed by Bengaluru-based Raam Reddy bagged the Concorso Cineasti del Presente and the Swatch Award for Best First Feature.
The film, in Kannada, features actors previously unheard of and was shot in Karnataka’s Mandya district. It tells the story of how three generations of sons react to the death of their grandfather, Century Gowda. The film then leads up to the thithi ceremony that is held eleven days after the death.
Raam, from St. Stephen’s College, New Delhi, is a 25-year-old filmmaker who has previously directed short fiction films, including a Telugu short called Ika. He studied direction at the Prague Film School and has also published a novel.
In a press statement, Raam said that capturing “India’s soul on film” was something he had always dreamt of. “Some of the characters in the film have become symbols to me — of how life can be lived simply, unequivocally, with grace — and I feel blessed to have had the chance to immortalise them,” he said.
The last rites of city-based pilot Rajiv Hoskote (30), who died in a helicopter crash in Khonsa district of Arunachal Pradesh, was held at Harischandra Ghat at the foot of Chamundi Hill here this morning. Rajiv’s mortal remains were brought to Mysuru yesterday night at 11.35 pm in an ambulance from Bengaluru and was kept for public viewing. A large number of people had gathered at Rajiv’s house on Ramanuja Road to pay their last respects. Rajiv’s family members, who were in deep grief, were inconsolable.
The body of Rajiv, which was found by Indian Army person- nel along with the bodies of two others on Aug. 10, six-days after Dauphin VT-PHK helicopter crashed into a deep gorge near Pongkong village on Aug. 4, was identified by his relatives on Aug. 11 after being brought to Khonsa village.
The same day the body was shifted to Dibrugarh in Assam from where it was brought to Guwahati in a helicopter.
On its arrival to Guwhati, Rajiv’s body was shifted to Bengaluru in an Indigo Aircraft and later to Mysuru in an ambulance. As the body arrived at the residence, the family members burst into tears and were inconsolable.
Manjunath, Rajiv’s father, thanked MP Pratap Simha, DC Shikha and Pawan Hans Company for all help in tracing his son’s body. Rajiv is survived by his father Manjunath, mother Vani, younger brother Rakshith and younger sister Ramya.
Corporators M.V. Ravishankar, B.V. Manjunath and M.K. Shankar and BJP leader Srivatsa were among those who paid their last respects to Rajiv.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / Friday – August 14th, 2015
Cars always fascinated Amarnath, a businessman and proud owner of a fleet of classic cars and two wheelers. He grew up watching his father drive around in the most expensive of cars and as a child, he always dreamt of owning one of his own someday. As the years passed by, Amarnath’s interest in cars grew into a passion.
Walk on the sprawling lawns that lead to Amarnath’s bungalow, tucked away in HBR Layout, and the first thing that catches your attention are a row of cars and bikes — all neatly polished and parked in line. The spick and span vehicles are those that have stood the test of time. “I’ve consciously made space for all these cars and bikes to be parked in my compound. There’s enough room and shade to keep them way from the heat to prevent any damage,” he explains, pointing to an enclosure that he has constructed exclusively for the cars to be parked in.
Among the prized possessions in his stable is a 1963 model of Standard Herald that he bought a while ago. Explaining how he stumbled upon it, Amarnath says, “I was always drawn to two-door cars. They are grand and look like an Indian Ferrari.” He then points towards a 1952 model of a Morris Minor, “It was in a pitiable state when I first saw it two years ago. It had to be brought back to life, so I found the perfect restorer in my friend Sripathy, an expert on just about any car. He helped me restore it and bring it to perfect running condition.”
Walk further on and a 1952 model Hillman Minx catches your attention. “That’s my father’s car,” he explains, “My father always wanted to own a Hillman. He didn’t miss the chance to buy it as soon as the opportunity arose.” He also has two Mercedes standing at the far corner. “These are 1973 (yellow) and 1982 (blue) models of compact Mercedes which you now see only in the movies. They are in perfect condition and we usually drive around in them only on the weekends,” he says.
If you think his collection ends with cars, you’ll be in for a surprise when he shows you a 1970 model of a Bobby Rajdoot. The Bobby moniker was later added after the bike did a little acting stint in the Raj Kapoor movie of the same name. “I first spotted this bike on Gujli Street in Shivajinagar six years ago. A closer examination and I was overjoyed that I had found the Bobby I had been hunting for a long time. I paid Rs 3,000 and bought it almost immediately,” he says. At a time when people focus on making modifications to bikes and cars, to make them look slimmer and swankier, Amarnath intends to retain all his classic beauties in their original shape. “I don’t want to bring in unnecessary modifications and spoil the originality,” he reasons. He also owns a 1972 model of Suvega as well.
Amarnath’s older son Varun has taken after his him and spends a lot of time washing the cars and keeping them clean. “I am proud of our collection and some of my friends come home just to see our cars and I occasionally ride the Bobby Rajdoot as well,” says Varun. Amarnath’s wife Rajashri is also supportive of him every time he adds on to his existing fleet.
(R Amarnath can be reached at ramarnath1969 @gmail.com)
source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> Supplements> MetroLife / by Nina C. George / DHNS – August 18th, 2015
A bust of Gandhiji installed at the Bhujanga Park, Ajjarkad, in Udupi, where he delivered a speech in 1934.
He addressed a public meeting at Ajjarkad ground
The place where Gandhiji visited and gave a speech during his only visit to Udupi on February 25, 1934, is now a park. There is a bust of Gandhiji in the midst of the park and a radio tower also stands close to it.
Vinith Rao, researcher and in-charge of Gandhian Study Centre at the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial College here, told The Hindu that Gandhiji had come to Udupi as part of his tour for collection of funds for the uplift of the weaker sections of society and also to promote temple entry for people of weaker sections through a consensus. Another object was to collect funds for the relief of persons affected by floods in Bihar.
Gandhiji toured the coastal region in a car. But since there were many rivers and rivulets in between, he and his car were ferried in a barge, then called ‘jungal’ and taken from one bank of the river to another. He was welcomed in Udupi at around 3.30 p.m. by philanthropist Haji Abdulla Saheb.
After inaugurating a ‘Khadi Bhandar’ at Kadabettu here, he went to the Ajjarkad ground to deliver a speech. Nearly 3,000 people attended the event as per a report in the Kannada weekly ‘Rashtra Bandhu’.
In his speech, which was reported in The Hindu on February 28, 1934, and also published in the ‘The Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi’ (Volume 57), Gandhiji urged the people to create public opinion for opening temples for weaker sections.
But, he emphasised that the opinion can only be formulated by the gentlest of means. Gandhiji also pointed out in his speech that Lord Krishna had turned himself to give “darshan” to saint-composer Sri Kanakadasa at the Sri Krishna Temple here. He also emphasised on the removal of untouchability.
This speech of Gandhiji in Udupi has also been reported in the journal ‘Harijan’ dated March 9, 1934. Gandhiji received a donation of Rs. 1,240 here.
Gandhiji then left for Kundapur the same day and addressed a public meeting there also and spoke against untouchability. He participated in prayer meeting in Kundapur on February 26, 1934, which was a Monday and Gandhiji used to observe silence on that day. “On February 27, 1934, Gandhiji left Kundapur for Karwar in a steamer named ‘Dayavati,” Mr. Rao said.
Since this was the only visit of Gandhiji to Udupi, a plaque should be erected at the Bhujanga Park, where Gandhiji gave a speech. “Besides the plaque, a small museum could be constructed there with some photographs taken during Gandhiji’s visit to Udupi,” Mr. Rao said.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Mangaluru / by Ganesh Prabhu / Udupi – August 15th, 2015
Felicitations mark Centenary Celebrations of City Central Library
Chief Minister Siddharamaiah, District Minister V. Sreenivasa Prasad, Primary and Secondary Education Minister Kimmane Rathnakar, Co-operation Minister H.S. Mahadevaprasad and others are seen with the Librarians from across the State who were felicitated during the centenary celebrations of City Central Library at the open air theatre in Manasagangotri yesterday.
Mysuru :
“Inculcate the habit of visiting libraries and reading books and literature as reading not only enhances one’s knowledge but also helps one to overcome bad habits,” said Chief Minister Siddharamaiah here yesterday.
He was speaking after inaugurating the ‘Librarians Day’ to mark the birth anniversary of Dr. S.R.Ranganthan, the Father of Library Sciences in India, and the centenary celebrations of City Central Library at the open air theatre in Manasagangotri.
Describing library as a good friend which helps overcome tensions, Siddharamaiah added that people like Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and Kuvempu, who grew in stature were closely associated with libraries and called upon the students to visit libraries to acquire knowledge.
The advent of internet, which has driven students away from reading habits, is no match for a library which has enhanced the knowledge of people for more than 100 years, he observed.
Library Centenary Bhavan at People’s Park: Recalling the services of Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar in the establishment of the City Central Library, Siddharamaiah said that the State Government would extend all support for construction of a Central Library Centenary Bhavan at People’s Park in the city.
Felicitation: Earlier, the Chief Minister felicitated retired librarian of Bangalore Central Library I.C.Sangannanavar; Deputy Director of Dakshina Kannada District Library C.G.Venkatesh; Assistant at Bangalore Central Library Sridharamurthy; Supervisor at Yaldur GP in Kolar District Manjunath; Deputy Director of Mysuru City Central Library B.Manjunath; Librarian of Bhadravathi Library in Shivamogga District Susanna Sowmyalatha; Assistant at Bangalore Central Library S.P. Somaprakash.
Among others who were felicitated on the occasion for their outstanding services included Supervisor at Jalihala GP Library in Raichur District S.Nagaraju; Deputy Librarian of Birla Technological University Library in Ranchi Dr. M. Vijaykumar; University of Mysore Librarian Dr. C.P. Ramashesh; Retired professor of Library and Information Sciences in Dharwad Prof. S.L.Sangam; Librarian of Rajiv Gandhi Varsity in Arunachal Pradesh Dr. Malathesh Motebennur and Dr. M. Chandrashekar of University of Mysore Library.
CM Siddharamaiah, who felicitated Mayor R. Lingappa and other former Mayors of Mysuru, also released the theme song of the Library centenary celebrations scripted by litterateur Dr. C.P. Krishnakumar (CPK).
While District Minister V. Sreenivasa Prasad released a CD, Primary and Secondary Education Minister Kimmane Rathnakar released a booklet brought out by the Department of Libraries; Co-operation Minister H.S.Mahadevaprasad released the souvenir “Grantha Sourabha.” Mayor R. Lingappa, who also heads the City Central Library Authority, released the centenary newsletter.
Legislative Council Deputy Chairman Marithibbegowda, Cauvery CADA Chairman C. Dasegowda, State Safai Karmachari Commission Chairman S. Narayan, Mylac Chairman R. Ananthu, KEA Chairman R. Murthy, MUDA Chairman K.R. Mohan Kumar, Zoo Authority Chairperson Rehana Banu, MLC Sandesh Nagaraj, MLAs Vasu and M.K.Somashekar, Centenarian Nadoja Prof. Dejagow, ZP President Dr. Pushpa Amarnath, Vice-President Madappa, Deputy Mayor M. Mahadevamma and Dr. C.P. Krishnakumar were among those present.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / Thursday – August 13th, 2015
An Independence Day Cup football match being played at Cox Town in Bengaluru on Saturday.— Photo: Sudhakara Jain / The Hindu
While other localities hoist flags, Cox Town hosts a football tournament.
Fifty-nine successive years of the world’s favourite sport on east Bengaluru soil. Enthusiasm among spectators is such that they can be seen desperately grabbing seats on trees, walls and on Bengaluru East railway bridge to get the best view of the game. All this is an annual affair on Independence Day.
The Independence Day Cup football tournament final on August 15 is festive occasion for fans in Frazer Town and the rest of Bengaluru. Crowds throng the East Indian Sports Club ground on Moti Masjid Road to watch the game unfold. The roar of the fans surprises pedestrians and motorists passing near Everest cinema hall.
“I’m 42 years old and this is the 32ndyear I’m coming for the final. I used to come as a child to cheer the team wearing the jersey with the brightest colour. Now, I have come to support the home team — Camp Boys Cox Town,” says D.S. Raju, a grocery from MS Nagar. R. Giriraj (59), General Secretary of East Indian Sports Club, had played in the tournament four decades ago when the entry fee was only Rs. 5.
He describes the I-Day football tournament as a sensation among the locals. “Teams from all parts of Bengaluru, Mysuru and even Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh participate. Crowds throng the ground from around Bengaluru on August 15 to witness the two semi-finals and the grand final,” says Giriraj who doubled up as a referee for the ties on Saturday.
The club has been hosting the tournament since 1956. This year, there were 64 entries. Ambedkar Nehrupuram Football Club from Cox Town lifted the cup after a floodlit final game.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Bengaluru / by Petlee Peter / Bengaluru – August 16th, 2015
City’s Karate Master Renshi Johnson became the first Karate Master from city to be trained and evaluated by 32 grandmasters (Red Belts) of four major Okinawa Karate Schools; Goju-Ryu, Isshin-Ryu, Shorin-Ryu and Uechi-Ryu, assigned by the Japan Government and successfully completed the Okinawa Traditional Karate and Kobudo Worldwide Seminar in Naha, Okinawa (Japan).
Governor of Okinawa Prefecture Takeshi Onaga certified Renshi Johnson, felicitated and awarded the certificate on July 18, 2015.
This is the first time a Karate instructor from Mysuru was selected and invited by the Okinawan Governor himself to take part in a worldwide Karate and Kobudo event and was evaluated by the living legends (grandmasters) of Okinawan Karate.
Renshi Johnson, a resident of Roopa Nagar, Bogadi in city, is a 5th Dan Black Belt in Karate and 2nd Dan Black Belt in Kobudo.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Sports News / Sunday – August 09th, 2015
