Category Archives: Records, All

Bangalore becomes first Indian city to have free wifi hotspots

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Records, All, Science & Technology, Travel

Bangalore : 

Bangalore has become the first city in India to have free wifi hotspots.

The project, launched at the iconic MG Road in central Bangalore, allows a person to browse upto three hours a day and download upto 50 MB of data.

Five different locations including MG road in the city now have free wifi and the IT department of Karnataka wants to spread it to 10 more locations by next month.

The project is in its pilot phase and Bangalore-based service provider D-VoiS is involved in the implementation.

“We are trying to make this as safe as possible. A person logs in, and we at our server will be able to check who is logging in, through what instrument or handset, what he is checking, downloading etc… so it is completely safe, said Srivatsa Krishna, IT Secretary, Karnataka government.

“The service provider has set up HD cameras in the locations which can also help in a big way when it comes to security, not just the content on net,” Mr Krishna added.

The free wifi comes along with apps too. Soon to be active will be the parking app, the garbage app and the likes. The parking app can show the nearest slot for parking and the garbage app would tell you the nearest garbage throw away point.

“These days the youngsters and all of us are nothing without bandwidth. We all need internet. Browsing, Twitter, Facebook, downloading movies… wow we are all so connected. And this according to me makes us feel empowered. We will be sending out the right message to investors. I dream of the day when each youngster can say he has access to the internet.” said Mohandas Pai, former Infosys board member and advisor to the Government’s ambitious IT Vision.

“I have tried logging on and it is fast. If am around Brigade with friends I could check which eating joints are available, what’s new and so on” said Sindhu, a student in Bangalore.

The youngest city as it may be, Bangalore is also the start-up city where young entrepreneurs, especially those creating cool apps, find this space as an opportunity for their little start up to ‘click’.

source: http://www.ndtv.com / NDTV / Home> Cities> Bangalore / by Radhika Iyer / January 24th, 2014

Let the pictures do the talking

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

Bangalore :

A picture can tell a thousand stories and infuse life into moments long gone. For those wanting to travel back in time, here’s your chance to visit Bangalore Cantonment of the yore. A rare photo and stamp exhibition organized as part of the 66th Army Day at Vismaya Gallery, Metro Art Centre, MG Road, takes you back to the black-and-white era. One of the rare and oldest photographs on display is that of BRV Theatre, a landmark of Bangalore Cantt. Located on Cubbon Road, it was built in Tudor style by Madras Sappers in 1911. The other must-see frame is of the Oriental Building on St Mark’s Road, Kumble Circle, also built by the Madras Sappers in the early 20th century. Don’t miss the first motor car in Bangalore among the numerous frames, and the photograph depicting the Battle of Seringapatam; it’s as good as turning the pages of history.

PRIDE OF INDIA

A collection of rare stamps and First Day Covers by Lt Col Harbaksh Singh Dham gives you an insight into the cultural diversity of India. Called the Pride of India collection, the 25 stamps are minted in gold-plated Swiss silver. Some of them are: Taj Mahal, Satyajit Ray , JRD Tata, the tiger, Indian cricket, Red Fort, New Delhi.

ARMYSPEAK

The 100-plus photographs on display have been compiled by various units of the Army. We want Bangaloreans to know about us and our activities through these photographs. We are proud of our collection and wish the photos motivate the younger generation to join the Army and serve the nation. This is the first time we are holding such an exhibition.

WHAT’S ARMY DAY

Army Day is celebrated on January 15 every year to commemorate Lt Gen (later Field Marshal) KM Cariappa’s taking charge as the first commander-in-chief of the Army in 1948.

BITES FROM VISITORS

* The exhibition is informative. It’s a good initiative by the Army to create awareness about the city’s culture and heritage. As outsiders, we didn’t know much about Bangalore. The exhibition is a brief introduction to the city.

Mrudula Pradhan, Darjeeling

* It’s very informative. It’s provides interesting information about the Army’s contribution in building Bangalore. We have read about the city in books, but seeing them through photographs is exciting. Most of them are etched in my mind.

Momili Sinha, Bangalore

MARK THESE

Where: Vismaya Gallery, Metro Art Centre

When: Till January 27

Time: 11am to 7.30pm

source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.inditimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Banglaore> MG Road / TNN / January 15th, 2014

Mysore girl Kavyashree Mallanna creates waves in Chess coaching at United States

Nri's / Pio's, Records, All, Sports, World Opinion

Mysore girl Kavyashree Mallanna, a former Karnataka State Women’s chess champion and National level player, now settled in Boston, USA, is the Founder and Director of Celestial Minds ( A Chess Coaching Centre) and one of New England’s top chess players.

KavyashreeBF01feb2014

by our Sports Correspondent

A 14-time Chess champion in various catego ries in Karnataka for a decade, Kavyashree pursued her higher studies in California, during which, she acquired United States Chess Federation ‘Expert’ level rating after winning Kolty Chess Club Championship in year 2000.

Chess is a mind game and Mysore has always been producing talented players from time-to-time who have gone to represent the country and the State in different levels.

Mysore girl, M. Kavyashree is one such player who has done Karnataka and Mysore proud with her feats in playing chess from 1989-2000, and won different titles in the State and National levels. Chess remained a part of her life either as a player or as a teacher when she started Prema Chess Lab ( 2003) to train the local talents. Presently she coaches children and chess players of all ages in the United States and also conducts tournaments from time-to-time.

She is the daughter of Prof. Mallanna and Prof. K.R. Premaleela, who are residents of Mysore. Her younger sister Kavana, who is also in the US, is a National level chess player and a former State champion.

Kavyashree went to United States to pursue her higher studies California and after completing her studies, started a chess club (Prema Chess Lab) in 2003 which she renamed in 2012 as ‘Celestial Minds.’

Kavyashree took up to chess at a very young age encouraged by her mother Prof. K.R. Premaleela. She learnt the basics of chess from her mother and senior local chess players initially and later moved on to chess books.

She went on to play chess in the district level and then represented the district in the State level tournaments and went on to win State championships in different age categories (from 1989 to 2000).

Chess, according to Kavyashree, helps an individual to develop lateral thinking, handle multiple tasks, have a holistic view & approach, and balance a situation in a good manner. It is also very helpful for academics.

She loved chess and one fine day quit her IT career and took up to her passion of coaching chess.

Her company ‘Celestial minds’ promotes both music and chess. Love for music is a blessing from her father Prof. S. Mallanna and love for chess is a gift from her mother. Her parents’ hobbies helped Kavyashree find an expression and in balancing a highly competitive career be it chess or IT.

Every September, Kavyashree, through her club conducts tournaments, which gets good response. On the occasion, a musical programme by her father captivated the audience with his songs. Kavyashree’s mother gave away the trophies to the winners.

Kavyashree intends to pursue her passion and love of promoting the game of chess through her club and aims to produce talented players in the days to come. This Mysore girl has made everyone proud with her feats in US and hope she scales greater heights in her coaching career in the days to come.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Feature Articles / January 27th, 2014

Agam and Aks take the stage in Bangalore this weekend

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Records, All

This weekend, Bangalore-based bands Agam and Aks will take the stage at CounterCulture at 8 pm to give music lovers in the city a taste of fusion music.

Agam is a multiple award-winning contemporary Carnatic rock act from Bangalore, which is most famous for being the first band from the city to be featured on Coke Studio . The band’s name comes from the ancient Tamil word meaning ‘the inner self’. Agam’s music encapsulates the boundless, vibrant emotions of the human psyche. Aks is an Indo-Asian rock/fusion act from Bangalore that has been on the music scene since March 2011. They make music pertaining to Indian folk/fusion, with an underlying base of rock/blues.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India/ Home> Entertainment> Kannada> Music / TNN / January 17th, 2014

World’s 1st biosimilar drug for breast cancer

Records, All, Science & Technology, World Opinion

Biocon with Mylan eyes emerging markets for first joint drug.

BioconBF29jan2014

Bangalore-based bio-pharmaceutical company Biocon on Saturday launched the world’s first biosimilar (developed in an organism) Trastuzumab injection for the treatment of breast cancer here. This is the first drug developed by Biocon in partnership with US-based generic drug maker Mylan . The new drug, CANMAb, will be used to treat HER2-positive advanced breast cancer.

Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, chairperson and managing director, Biocon, said the company would also launch the injection in other emerging markets. The CANMab injection will compete with Roche’s Herceptin . Herceptin’s global sales were $6.4 billion in 2012 and Indian $21 million.

The drug has been jointly developed out of five molecules with Mylan, since a partnership was signed in 2009. Mylan will also launch CANMab under a different brand in India.

The injection is available in 150mg and 440mg doses at Rs 19,500 and Rs 57,500, respectively. The 440mg dose costs a fourth less than competing drugs, Mazumdar-Shaw said.

Biocon has set up a factory in Bangalore to make the new injection for itself as well as Mylan. Mylan will source its requirements from Biocon for both Indian and developed markets, a senior company official said.

Biocon entered into partnership with Mylan for joint development of a series of drugs for the treatment of various cancers in 2009. At present, four other drugs are under development, of which will begin clinical trials later this year, said Abhijit Barve, president (research and development), Biocon.

Mazumdar-Shaw said breast cancer was the most prevalent cancer among Indians and CANMAb would offer a cheaper option. About 150,000 new patients are diagnosed with breast cancer every year in India, of which nearly a fourth of the cases are HER2-positive and eligible for treatment with CANMAb. Lack of cheap treatment has limited the extent of HER2 testing and it is believed that the proportion of HER2-positive patients is probably higher, she said.

“Biocon intends to make a significant difference in the treatment paradigm for HER2-positive breast cancer in India by enhancing access to more affordable treatment with CANMAb, which offers the same level of safety and efficacy as the reference product. The launch of CANMAb in India is an important milestone for our biosimilars programme and demonstrates our ability to deliver on our promise of affordable innovation with a high quality, world- class product,” the Biocon chief said.

Biocon aims to capture about 15 per cent of the market for anti-breast cancer drugs in India in a year. The market is estimated at Rs 130 crore a year, set to double in 2014.

source:http://www.business-standard.com / Business Standard / Home> Companies> News / by BS Reporter / Bangalore – January 18th, 2014

Elected as Fellow by Natl. Academy of Psychology

Education, Leaders, Records, All, Science & Technology

DrPrakashBF29jan2014

Mysore :

Dr. P. Prakash, professor in Psychology, Mysore University, has been elected as a Fellow by National Academy of Psychology (NAOP), India, for his contribution to the discipline and distinguishing himself as an authority on reading and dyslexia in India.

He has been working in the area employing multiple approaches — methods that include behavioural (including eye tracking), neural (includes brain imaging), and genetic basis of reading and dyslexia.

This year Prof. Prakash has co-edited a volume on Psycholinguistics in South Asia and South East Asia, which has just been published by Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.

A recipient of many prestigious fellowships, he has been a Mombusho scholar (Japanese Government Fellowship, 1991-93) and later AIEJ Fellow (1999) in Japan. He was also a Fulbright Fellow twice – during 2000-01 at A & M University, Texas and later in 2011 at Haskins Laboratories, Yale University. He was also Erasmus Mundus Visiting Professor at Potsdam University, Potsdam, Germany (2006). He was visiting colleague in Singapore National University, University of Alberta (Canada).

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / January 29th, 2014

Mangalore: St Gerosa School celebrates golden jubilee

Education, Records, All

Mangalore :

St Gerosa School inaugurated its golden jubilee year recently with a colourful event. The programme commenced with a prayer service. Sr Matilda Monteiro, provincial superior, Sisters of Charity presided over the function.

Unveiling the logo of the golden jubilee celebrations, Sr Matilda in her address urged people to sow the seeds of education in order to reap the harvest a hundred fold.

Fr Bonaventure Nazareth, parish priest of St Vincent Ferrer Church, Velencia was the chief guest of the day. Jacintha Alfred, corporator, Falnir ward, Sr Grace Joseph P, secretary to educational society, sisters of charity, Mangalore, Philomena Tauro, the first teacher of the school were the guests of honour.

Sr Marcelline Braggs, the correspondent of the school, Sr Emma Aranha, the head mistress of the high school, Ida Sequeira and Jean Crasta, the vice-presidents of PTA and GEXSA escorted the guests.

Sr Marcelline Braggs welcomed the gathering. Sr Emma Aranha read out the various programmes of the golden jubilee year. Teacher Nimitha proposed the vote of thanks. Teachers Marie Vas and Molly D’Souza compered the programme.

A colourful programme was showcased by the multi-talented, vibrant and energetic students wearing colourful attire, which captivated the attention of the audience.

source: http://www.daijiworld.com / DaijiWorld.com / Home> Karnataka / Media Release / Mangalore – Sunday, January 19th, 2014

State girls sweep Miss South India titles

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Records, All

 

Abhishikta Shetty
Abhishikta Shetty

Abhishikta Shetty of Karnataka has been crowned Miss South India 2014. Aditi Shetty and Meghana Shetty, also from Karnataka, were adjudged the first and second runners-up at the 11th Edition of Miss South India Pageant organised by Pegasus here last night.

Ms. Shetty was crowned by the last year’s title winner Anusha Venkataraman of Tamil Nadu, Pegasus founder chairman Ajith Ravi said in a release on Sunday. R. Raxshmi won the Miss Queen Andhra Pradesh title while Darshithmita Gowda won the Miss Queen Karnataka, Archana Jayakrishnan the Miss Queen Kerala and Shree Iraa bagged the Miss Tamil Nadu titles, it said.

The pageant was judged by Miss World Parvathy Omanakuttan, film director Major Ravi, Mrs. India Jeemole Jaibin, actor and fashion designer Sajimon Parayil and Media personality Toshma Biju.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Bangalore / by PTI / Coimbatore – January 20th, 2014

Awarded Cardiology Fellowship

Education, Records, All, Science & Technology, World Opinion

dr.ArunaBF28jan2014

Mysore :

Dr. Arun Srinivas, Senior Interventional Cardiologist, Professor & Head, JSS Hospital, was awarded the prestigious Fellowship of the European Society of Cardiology (FESC) at the ESC meeting held in Mumbai on Jan. 17 & 18.

Dr. Arun Srinivas was awarded the Fellowship for his outstanding services and experience in Interventional Cardiology for over 25 years.

He has the distinction of having pioneered and introduced interventional cardiology services in city 12 years ago.

He has treated more than 50,000 patients and performed over 20,000 angiography and angioplasty procedures, valvuloplaties, congenital heart disease device closures, pacemaker/ICD implantations and peripheral arterial inter- ventions.

Dr. Arun Srinivas is one of the senior-most Interventional Cardiologists in Karnataka and has obtained fellowship in Coronary Interventions & Pediatric Cardiology from Royal Melbourne Hospital, Australia and Peripheral Vascular Interventions from Miami Vascular Institute, Florida, USA.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / January 22nd, 2014

Soha on the Success Trail

Records, All, Sports
S Soha is a promising player
S Soha is a promising player

Karnataka’s junior tennis player S Soha made history of sorts when she emerged as champion in the National School Games (NSG) tennis tournament in Pune earlier this month, thereby, beginning the new year on a rousing note.

The 15-year-old, 10th standard student of Cluny Convent, Jalahalli, thus became the first Karnataka girl to win the NSG tennis title in recent years. Soha defeated Urmi Pandey of Gujarat 5-4 (5) in the final.

“I am happy I won the title as it was a tough tournament, especially the semi-finals and finals,” said Soha, a trainee of the Mahesh Bhupathi Tennis Academy. Soha was quick to acknowledge that she owed her success to the support of her parents, school and her coaches Krishna Bhupathi, S Praveen Kumar and Prakash.

“My coaches have been encouraging me in every respect and I have learnt everything from them. I owe my success to them,” she added. Prior to the NSG title, Soha had won the under-16 title AITA Championship Series conducted by the Topspin Academy at Bangalore and was a runner-up in the AITA Super Series at Chandigarh.

She managed to reach the semi-finals in the R T Narayan Cup National Series in Bangalore. She has won about 50 titles in her fledgling career in the under-12, under-14, under-16 sections so far. A commendable achievement by any standards.

Her coach at MBTA, S Praveen Kumar, a former ITF and ATP player, was all praise for her. “She is a dedicated youngster with a lot of promise. She can go up the ladder, with more exposure, especially in Junior ITF category. She works very hard and is a very willing learner. That makes it easier to coach her,” Praveen added.

P R Ramaswamy, Joint Secretary of the KSLTA, while  congratulating Soha said, “After a long time, we have a champion in the National School Games and KSLTA wishes Soha more such successes.  We will see how best we can support her.”

Soha had done very well in the AITA Talent Series Tennis tournament for under-14 and under-16 (boys and girls) at the MTC and Raghuveer Tennis courts in Mysore as a tiny tot way back in 2009. That’s when she showed a lot of promise and though she did not win the title there, there was no doubt that a young girl with loads of talent had arrived on the tennis scene in the state.

Soha beat Priyanka M 6-0, 6-1 on her way to the semis in the R T Narayan memorial tournament and displayed her confidence in executing her forehand and backhand strokes. She also has a good first serve and surely should be able to improve her stamina as she progresses.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Bangalore /  by S Shreekumar – Bangalore / January 16th, 2014