Category Archives: Records, All

The ‘golden daughter’ of a farming family

Education, Records, All, Science & Technology
Geetha N, who secured 13 gold medals, and Kunduru Bharath, who got 7 gold medals, at the 49th convocation of the University of Agricultural Sciences in Bengaluru on Saturday.— Photo: V Sreenivasa Murthy
Geetha N, who secured 13 gold medals, and Kunduru Bharath, who got 7 gold medals, at the 49th convocation of the University of Agricultural Sciences in Bengaluru on Saturday.— Photo: V Sreenivasa Murthy

Geetha N. graduated with a record 13 gold medals

All that this poor farming family from Doddaballapur taluk has is one acre of land which fetches them just Rs. 11,000 a year.

But, they have a ‘golden daughter’. Geetha N., daughter of Narasimha Murthy and Chikkathayamma, graduated with a record number of 13 gold medals at the convocation of the University of Agricultural Sciences-Bangalore here on Saturday.

“My parents were not in a position to bear my educational expenses when I got a seat for an agricultural course. So I took an educational loan to support my studies,” says Geetha, who is now pursuing her post-graduate studies in Agricultural Genetics and Plant Breeding with a fellowship from the Indian Council of Agricultural Research.

Excitedly showing her parents the box of gold medals, Geetha said, “Though my parents did not have money, they did everything for me to excel in studies and I owe my success to them.”

Having experienced the difficulties of a marginal farming family, her dream is to become a researcher in the field of genetics and plant breeding in a bid to do something good for farmers in distress. “I am pained to see farmers in distress, especially owing to crash in prices. I want to do something for them,” she said.

Geetha also has plans to set up a non-governmental organisation to help farmers. “Please do not quit farming as that is our backbone,” is her plea to youth who quit agriculture to move to cities in search of menial jobs. Similarly, A.P.-based Kundur Bharath, who graduated with seven gold medals, also hails from a farming family. He too wants to serve the farming community by becoming a researcher.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Bengaluru / by B.S. Satish Kumar / Bengaluru – March 15th, 2015

Kathyayini is ‘Namma Bengalurean’

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Records, All

Bengaluru :

Freelance journalist and social activist Kathyayini Chamaraj was declared ‘Namma Bengalurean’ at the ‘Namma Bengaluru 2015’ awards ceremony held in the city on Saturday.

Organisers of the awards, Namma Bengaluru Foundation said they had received over 75,000 nominations out of which 70 were shortlisted.

“She (Chamaraj) has been writing for over 23 years on development issues. She has worked extensively with the Government of Karnataka on child labour and primary education and is involved with several organisations and social movements, especially the Right to Food and Work Campaign. She has been a great asset to the development of Bengaluru,” said CEO of the Foundation, Sridhar Pabbisetty.

A jury of 23 members consisting of personalities like Microland founder Pradeep Kar, media professional Gautham Machaiah, former Lokayukta Justice Santosh Hegde, poet Prof G S Siddalingaiah, actor Tara Anuradha and others shortlisted the finalists for the awards under 13 categories.

The awards were conferred by Kannada actor Ravichandran.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Bengaluru / by Express News Service / March 15th, 2015

Awards presented to Vedic Scholars

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education, Records, All
Vedic scholars, who were felicitated at a function organised by Vedashastra Poshini Sabha at Sarada Vilas Centenary Hall in city yesterday, are seen with Saraswathi Samman awardee Dr. S.L. Bhyrappa, Sabha President B.N. Nagaraj Bhat, Vice-President A.N. Venkatakrishna, Secretary A.M. Chandrashekar and others.
Vedic scholars, who were felicitated at a function organised by Vedashastra Poshini Sabha at Sarada Vilas Centenary Hall in city yesterday, are seen with Saraswathi Samman awardee Dr. S.L. Bhyrappa, Sabha President B.N. Nagaraj Bhat, Vice-President A.N. Venkatakrishna, Secretary A.M. Chandrashekar and others.

Mysuru :

“To eradicate the caste system in India, the social, economic, educational and intellectual levels of people should improve,” said novelist, Saraswathi Samman awardee and National Professor Dr. S.L. Bhyrappa.

He was speaking at a function organised by Vedashastra Poshini Sabha at Sarada Vilas Centenary Hall in Krishnamurthypuram here yesterday to felicitate the Vedic scholars with awards.

Dr. Bhyrappa pointed out that casteism was absent among NRIs in the US but it was rampant in India. He said that during ancient times, caste symbolised the race and profession of a person but gradually casteism became an evil in society. He advised people to encourage inter-caste marriages to improve the health of society.

Veda Vidyanidhi award

Veda Vidyanidhi awards were presented to Vid. M. Venkatakrishna Jois of Shivamogga, Vid. K.N. Markandeya Avadhani of Mathur, Vid. N. Narasimha Shastri of Mandya and Vid. Lakshminarayana Bhat of Shivamogga.

Shastra Vidyanidhi award

Shastra Vidyanidhi awards were presented to Vid. K. Parameshwar Aithal, Vid. K.P. Shankar Somayyaji and Vid. D.V. Harikrishna Tantri from Udupi; Vid. D. Prahlad Acharya and Vid. K.G. Subraya Sharma of Bengaluru and Vid. S. Srinivas Adiga of Saligrama.

Dr. Bhyrappa and his wife too were felicitated on the occasion.

Former Governor of Bihar and retired High Court Judge Rama Jois, MLC G. Madhusudhan, Sabha President B.N. Nagaraj Bhat, Vice-Presidnet A.N. Venkatakrishna and Secretary A.M. Chandrashekar were present on the occasion.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / Monday ,March 09th, 2015

Journalists’ Assn. Awards presented

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Records, All

MDJA felicitates senior journalists

Seen in the picture are (sitting from left) Endowment awardees Yathiraj, Hullahalli Srinivas, Alfred Solomon, Shilpa and Girish R. Doddamani with (standing from left) MDJA General Secretary K.J. Lokesh Babu, President K. Deepak, Media Advisor to CM Dinesh Aminmattu, SVYM Founder Dr. R. Balasubramaniam, Star of Mysore Editor-in-Chief K.B. Ganapathy, Kannada Prabha Assistant Editor Amshi Prasanna Kumar, senior journalist K.V. Srinivasan and MDJA Vice-President S.T. Ravikumar.
Seen in the picture are (sitting from left) Endowment awardees Yathiraj, Hullahalli Srinivas, Alfred Solomon, Shilpa and Girish R. Doddamani with (standing from left) MDJA General Secretary K.J. Lokesh Babu, President K. Deepak, Media Advisor to CM Dinesh Aminmattu, SVYM Founder Dr. R. Balasubramaniam, Star of Mysore Editor-in-Chief K.B. Ganapathy, Kannada Prabha Assistant Editor Amshi Prasanna Kumar, senior journalist K.V. Srinivasan and MDJA Vice-President S.T. Ravikumar.

Mysuru :

The Mysore District Journalists’ Association (MDJA) had organised a function at its office here this morning to felicitate senior journalists and to present Endowment awards instituted by senior journalist K.V. Srinivasan.

Star of Mysore Editor-in-Chief K.B. Ganapathy, who has been selected for Mohare Hanumantha Rao Award and Kannada Prabha Assistant Editor Amshi Prasanna Kumar, who is selected for Journalism Development Award, to be given by the State Government, were felicitated by Media Advisor to the Chief Minister Dinesh Aminmattu and Swami Vivekananda Youth Movement (SVYM) founder Dr. R. Balasubramaniam respectively.

On the occasion, Endowment awards were presented to journalists Shilpa (K.V. Srinivasan Journalism Award), Alfred Solomon (Mahatma Gandhi Award), Hullahalli Srinivas (Janakamma Venkatappa Gowda Award), Yathiraj (Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Award) and Girish R. Doddamani (Jayaprakash Narayan Youth Award).

Senior journalist K.V. Srinivasan and Karnataka Union of Working Journalists State Committee member M. Subramanyam were also felicitated.

Speaking as a chief guest, Media Advisor to the Chief Minister Dinesh Aminmattu said that journalism should retain its credibility with scribes presenting unbiased news.

Citing an example, he said that a few newspapers highlight trivial issues of celebrities leaving behind burning issues in the society and added that technology had eased the work of a journalist today who otherwise had to slog with poor technology during earlier times.

Addressing the gathering, Vivekananda Youth Movement Founder Dr. Balasubramaniam said that awards to achievers should be viewed as achievements in recognition to their services in their concerned field and added that media should strive to guide the society.

He further said that the development of a nation should not necessarily be gauged through economic growth alone, but should also be gauged through social and agricultural growth.

Dr. Balasubramaniam regretted that most of the sectors were polluted.

Speaking after being felicitated, K.B. Ganapathy said that journalists should be conversant with all subjects and advised them to be cautious in usage of language while reporting. MDJA President K. Deepak, Vice President S.T. Ravikumar, General Secretary K.J. Lokesh Babu and other office bearers were present.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / Monday ,March 09th, 2015

Embrace the old world charm

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Records, All, Travel

AirlinesHotelBF14mar2015

Situated on Lavelle Road, ‘Airlines Hotel’ has remained a legendary landmark for 47 years now. Started in 1968 by SN Rao, it holds the record of being the first drive-in restaurant in the City.

‘Airlines’, as it is fondly known as, is a sought-after ‘adda’ for quick breakfasts, and has witnessed the discussions of many businessmen and college students.

“My father, SN Rao, started a drive-in restaurant called ‘Hotel Sujatha’ in Mysore in 1965. This was the first drive-in restaurant in Karnataka. After its success, he wanted to get the concept to Bengaluru and he saw this place, which was already named ‘Airlines’, and was owned by Mr Thomas. He took Mr Thomas to ‘Hotel Sujatha’ and introduced him to the concept of a drive-in restaurant and it all began there,” says Diwakar Rao, the owner of ‘Airlines Hotel’.

The tradition of hanging out in ‘Airlines Hotel’ has been passed down from generations and it has remained the most adored ‘adda’ of people of all age groups. There was a time when one could get a glimpse of all the ‘fancy’ cars in the City parked inside the premises of this restaurant which is noted for the taste of its unmatched ‘sambar’, the crispy and crunchy ‘dosa’, the soft and fluffy ‘idlis’, which are served with the traditional ‘sambar’ and ‘chutney’, tastes that one pines for.

Since its inception, and there has been no change in taste of their iconic ‘sambar’. “We have a constant check on quality and our dishes are cooked in a traditional Mangalurean style. We also have a cook who has been working here for the past 35 years now. He trains the new cooks and that is how we have maintained the same taste,” adds Diwakar.

The restaurant is definitely noted for its South Indian dishes. But it does not fail to delight those who love North Indian cuisine. Having an age-old menu with blue words printed on a white sheet, this drive-in offers ‘chola bhatura’ and ‘paneer rolls’, dishes that dominate their North Indian menu.

They also offer Chinese manchurians and for evening snacks, one can hog on a delectable variety of ‘chaats’. And each of these dishes have an assigned timings and the hotel doesn’t fail to maintain its aesthetics. The beverages, especially coffee, served in a long glass tumbler, has never disappointed its customers.

A legend in itself, this restaurant is noted to be visited by other legends like MF Hussain, Dr Rajkumar, BM Oberoi, Kumar Bangarappa and many more.

The regulars here include actors Shiva Rajkumar and Puneeth Rajkumar. The place has now become a hub for many clubs, including the owners of ‘Harley-Davidson’, ‘Vespa’, ‘Fiat110’ and many more. “There are 30 to 40 members of these clubs who come here on Sundays. They address their meetings over breakfast and then carry forward their plans,” he says.

From being a premium hotel with banquet hall, this place has managed to stay as the popular drive-in restaurant.

It has undergone ups and downs due to the licence issue and there has also been a time where it shut down for four months. Social media sites were then flooded with messages in support of the restaurant.

“Those four months were a nightmare. But the support from all the Bengalureans has helped us overcome the issue and I am thankful to everyone who supported us,” wraps up Diwakar Rao.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> Supplements> MetroLife / by Prajna GR / March 07th, 2015

Young drummer bags award

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Records, All
Anbu Pauline— Photo: M.A. Sriram
Anbu Pauline— Photo: M.A. Sriram

T. Anbu Pauline, a student of VGK Music Academy in Mysuru, was recently conferred the Level 1 Award in Graded Examination in Music Performance – Grade 1 Drum Kit with Distinction – by the Trinity College, London.

Nine-year-old Pauline, who is studying in Class IV at Kendriya Vidyalaya, had been awarded six credits at Level 1, according to a press release. She has been learning drum kit for the past one-and-a-half years under Venugopal Krishna at the academy.

Anbu Pauline was conferred Level 1 Award by Trinity College, London

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National / by Special Correspondent / Mysuru – March 12th, 2015

Pick the best heritage buildings in the city for Intach awards

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Records, All

Here’s a chance for Bengalureans to pick the best of the old structures in the city. The Indian National Trust for Culture and Heritage (Intach), Bengaluru, is out to crown two heritage buildings – one governmentowned and the other private.It has invited Bengalureans to nominate two buildings of their choice for the Intach Bangalore Heritage Awards. C Aravind, Intach co-coo r d i n a t o r, said this seeks to recognize and bring at and bring attention to Bengaluru’s heritage buildings.
The buildings chosen can be residential, official or religious or even a market. The only condition: it should have been built before Independence. The best preserved structures, judged by a panel of experts, will receive an award and a citation. For details, visit http:www.intachblr.org.The last date for sending nominations is March 15, 2015.

My choice

Naresh V Narasimhan |

Architect: Though there are a number of beautiful heritage buildings in Bengaluru like Town Hall and St Mark’s Cathedral, my choice for the best structures among them would be the Bangalore Club and Seshadri Iyer Memorial Library.Bangalore Club, which belongs to the British period, is very well preserved.It was built as a club. The Seshadri Iyer Memorial Library is an honour to the great man. It is architecturally excellent and the colour (terracotta red) excellently complements the greenery of Cubbon Park where it is located

Mansoor Ali |

Architect I would nominate the Attara Kacheri or the high court building as it is a very good example of colonial architecture. The other point to note is how wonderfully the contractor has executed the work as the building still stands like a monument even after over 100 years. The other great heritage building is the house of Diwan Sir MN Krishna Rao in Basavanagudi. This house is said to be the third oldest in the area. It has many antiques like a 143-year-old Ansonia clock from the US and a Scott’s Radiogram

Poornima Dasharathi |

Founder, unhurried heritage walks: Bangalore was known to be a manufacturing hub during the Maharaja’s rule. I would say it is a good idea to preserve at least one factory and turn it into a museum dedicated to showcasing this heritage and technology, instead of a mall.One of the examples that come to my mind is the Mysore Lamps Factory in Malleswaram. There are many privately owned bungalows still standing today simply because of their owners’ love and their resistance to selling. I want the government to set up a proper local heritage preservation policy and save bungalows

CN Kumar |

Founder, Bygone Bangalore, a group on Facebook: I prefer the high court building, which is more than 100 years old, as my choice for the best. It is very well maintained and designed well. Of course, when it comes to private buildings, there are many, but I feel Bangalore Club is the best of the lot because of its structure

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Bengaluru / TNN / March 12th, 2015

Sommer House: Tales from the jazz age

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Records, All, Travel

SommerHouseBF09mar2015

Bengaluru: 

Back in the 1950s, when Bangalore was like something out of a F. Scott Fitzgerald bok, Whitefield was a small township on the outskirts of the city. On arriving at the railway station, one took a horse-drawn carriage home through the small, winding streets. It wasn’t long, however, before development put paid to much of that old world charm.

The Sommer House, a colonial bungalow that has been restored to its former beauty by long-time resident Sulaiman Jamal, aims to recreate some of that old world charm. Thrown open to the public on Monday evening, as a community center that gives senior citizens and retired army officials that long lost society whirl, Jamal, whose association with the area began when he set up his factory there said: “We have lived in Whitefield for ten years now, but when I first visited, it was a pretty wild place,  Every six months, another bungalow would be torn down.”

The two-bedroom gabled roof Sommer House, bought two years ago by Jamal, replete with antique furniture, is home to a piano that belonged, back in the day, to the Defence Services Cinema. The cottage, sits surrounded by a garden, with restored vintage cars dotting the property.

Jamal would like the House to host programmes like piano nights, dancing, catered dinners and plays. Most importantly, it will also have a free catered dinner every month for senior citizens.
Beth Chapman, Pre­sident, Overseas Women’s Club, has helped put Sulaiman’s ideas in motion.

“I’m always looking for old bungalows and the stories that surround them,” she said.
“The house is opposite Forum Value Mall and people expected a superstructure here,” Sulaiman explained. “They wonder what the catch is, but there is none. We want the people of Whitefield to feel a sense of belonging with what is now a community center.”

source: http://www.deccanchronicle.com / Deccan Chronicle / Home> News> Current Affairs / DC / Darshana Ramdev / June 18th, 2013

Suresh Padmukhi bags five gold medals

Education, Records, All

It was a dream come true situation for Suresh Padmukhi, hailing from a family of marginal farmers fighting to make both ends meet, when he went up to the dais to receive five gold medals for his excellent performance in the final year B.Sc in Agriculture from the Governor Vajubhai R. Vala, during the annual convocation of the University at Raichur on Wednesday.

“The support from my parents despite their economic hardships and my hard work made it possible, ” Mr. Padmukhi, hailing from Rukmapur village in Surpur taluk, said. He is now pursuing his post graduation in Genetics and Plant Breeding at the Gandhi Krishi Vignyan Kendra at Bengaluru.

Mr. Padmukhi completed his graduation from the Agriculture College at Bheemarayanagudi in Shahapur taluk. He received five gold medals for scoring the highest marks in Agriculture Entomology, Agriculture Microbiology, Horticulture, Agriculture Economics and for his overall performance in the UAS, Raichur.

He said that he wanted to dedicate the five gold medals and all the honour and praise he received from his teachers and well-wishers to his parents Ashok Padmukhi and Basamma Padmukhi, who were primarily responsible for shaping his academic career.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National> Karnataka / by Correspondent / Yadgir – March 07th, 2015

State Film Awards accorded to 59 Artistes and Technicians

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Records, All

CM assures Film City near Himmavu village; Ambarish absent

FilmAwards07mar2015

Mysuru :

After a gap of over two decades, the State Film Awards for the year 2012-13 and 2013-14 were presented at a gala function at the Maharaja College Grounds here on Saturday. A large number of film enthusiasts thronged the venue to witness the event which saw around 59 artistes and technicians feted with State Awards.

Chief Minister Siddharamaiah, District in-charge Minister V. Sreenivasa Prasad, Information and Public Relations Minister R. Roshan Baig, PWD Minister Dr. H.C. Mahadevappa, Kannada and Culture Minister Umashree, Social Welfare Minister H. Anjaneya and Minister for Cooperation H.S. Mahadeva Prasad were among the dignitaries who distributed the awards.

For the year 2012, the Chief Minister presented the Lifetime Achievement Awards to M.Bhaktavatsala (Dr. Rajkumar Award), C. Dattaraj (Puttanna Kanagal Award) and actor Rajesh (Dr. Vishnuvardhan Award). For the year 2013, the Lifetime Achievement Award was conferred upon Actor Srinath (Dr. Rajkumar Award), P.H. Vishwanath (Puttanna Kanagal Award) and K.V. Gupta (Dr. Vishnuvardhan Award). These awards carried a purse of Rs. 2 lakh and a gold medal.

The Best Actor and Best Actress Awards for the year 2012 were given to Darshan and Nirmala Chennappa respectively while Nikhil Manjoo and Nivedita were conferred the Best Actor and Best Actress awards respectively for the year 2013.

Speaking on the occasion, veteran film maker M. Bhaktavatsala observed that the Kannada film industry must come up with good films and stay away from remakes and added that the golden time of Kannada film industry, which was in the 1970s, must return.

Actor Srinath, who received the Lifetime Achievement Award for 2013, addressed the gathering and thanked the government for bestowing the honour and said that he was overjoyed to receive the award.

Film City: After presenting the awards, Siddharamaiah announced that the long-pending Film City will be set up in Mysuru soon and said that the Film City will come up on a 100-acre land which is identified for the purpose at Himmavu village in Siddharamaiah’s constituency Varuna.

He added that the District Administration had identified the land and the work would start very soon.

Ambarish absent : Among the top Sandalwood actors who were conspicuously absent at the award ceremony was Minister of Housing M.H. Ambarish. Actors from Rajkumar family were also not present to the disappointment of many fans who had come to have a glimpse of their favourite stars.

Mysuru Mayor R. Lingappa, MLC Sandesh Nagaraj, MLAs Manjunath and M.K. Somashekar, ZP President Pushpa Amarnath and others were also present during the ceremony.

Villains excluded: After dedicating the Best Actor award for the year 2012 to the actors who played the part of Villains in Sandalwood movies, Actor Darshan addressed the gathering and expressed his dissatisfaction over the absence of recognition for actors in the ‘Villains’ category. He said that there were a lot of actors who have acted as villains in more than 300 to 400 films and that they were barely recognised in the award ceremony. He said that actors like Tiger Prabhakar, Sudheer, Musuri Krishnamurthy, Sundar Krishna Urs and his father Thoogudeepa Srinivas have received awards on various occasions but have gone unrecognised in the State’s awards ceremony.

Responding to the actor’s demands, Chief Minister and Information and Public Relations Minister R. Roshan Baig rushed to the podium and said that they support the actor’s views and that a ‘Best Villain’ category would be introduced in the next year’s awards ceremony.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / March 01st, 2015