Category Archives: Records, All

Hassan library celebrates a centenary of reading

November 9, 2016Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education, Records, Alladmin

INVITING BOOK LOVERS:Readers browse at Hassan City Library.— Photo: Prakash Hassan

Leading literary figures have been regulars at the institution that has one lakh books, and a large membership

One of Karnataka’s oldest public libraries, the Hassan City Central Library is all set to celebrate its centenary. The Department of Public Libraries will hold a week-long celebration during January and February of 2017.

The Hassan institution has served many well-known litterateurs including Masti Venkatesh Iyengar, D.R. Bendre, and Shivaram Karanth, who have also participated in its programmes.

“We have a collection of over one lakh books, besides 8,000 reference titles. There are more than 13,017 members,” said P.L.Nagaraj, chief librarian.

This is the third centenary library in the State after the central public libraries in Mysuru and Bengaluru. The building here was sanctioned in 1911 to commemorate the coronation of George V, then Emperor of India.

The foundation stone was laid by P.R.W. Wetheralla Eso, Deputy Commissioner of Hassan on December 12, 1911.

The building was completed in 1916 and inaugurated by Sir M.Visvesvaraya, the Dewan of Mysore.

It then became the Public Library and Reading Room.

In just a few years, the library became a magnet for all intellectuals and cultural personalities. Mahatma Gandhi held a public meeting in the library premises in 1924 as part of the freedom struggle, records say.

Thousands of students have also benefited. Indian Space Research Organisation chairperson Dr. A.S. Kiran Kumar, who hails from Hassan, is a member, and was a regular visitor as a student.

H.K. Sharat, a faculty member at Malnad College of Engineering said, “I have been visiting this library to read magazines and borrow books for 10 years. Many students have benefited from the reference section, where books for competitive exams are available.” Many programmes for the centenary have been planned, with Hassan MLA H. S. Prakash chairing the meetings.

“We are facing a shortage of space. We want a new building and the department has provided Rs. 40 lakh for this,” the chief librarian said.

To celebrate the centenary, a new building has been planned in the land spread over 2.5 acres. The design is being worked out.

“We have suggested a design akin to Anna Centenary Library in Chennai, one of the best library buildings constructed on a big budget,” he added.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National> Karnataka / by Satish G T / Hassan – November 09th, 2016

Mangaluruean wins 2016 International Creative Writing Contest

November 9, 2016Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Records, All, World Opinionadmin

Mangaluru :

Dr Geralyn Pinto, Associate Professor of English at St Agnes College, Mangaluru, has won the first prize for her short story, “Here they are, Saar….” in the 2016 International Creative Writing Contest organized by the Save as Writers Group, Canterbury, England. The theme of this year’s contest was ‘Rebellion’ in commemoration of the Irish Rising of Easter, 1916.

Geralyn, who views creative writing as an agent of social rebellion and memory retrieval, chose to write on Nangeli, a woman of the Ezhava community of early 19th century Travancore. The young Nangeli looked at society in the face and decided to show it who she really was. Her self-mutilation in 1803 as a form of rebellion against the levying of the hideous ‘mulakkaram’ or breast tax earned all women, but particularly those of the lower castes, the inalienable right to cover themselves in modesty and decency, if they so chose. The humiliating tax was eventually repealed by the British Crown, upon pressure from the British Resident of Travancore, Col. John Munro.

Geralyn’s powerfully-told story won the first place from an otherwise all-British shortlist of nine stories and was described by judge, Derek Sellen, as an amazing story with a sinuous narrative that impressed one right from the beginning. Sellen said, upon presenting the prize to Geralyn at the Awards Evening held on October 29 in the hall of St Mary Bredin Church, Canterbury, that he had no doubt when he began reading it that her story would be the top prize winner.

This is the third time that Geralyn Pinto has won a prize in the Save as Writers annually-held International Creative Writing Contest.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City> Mangalore / by Stanley Pinto / TNN / November 07th, 2016

Mysore Rajya: Diverse areas bound by one tongue

November 1, 2016About Bangalore(Bengaluru) / Karnataka, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Records, Alladmin

slice of history:The cover of the 440-page bookMysore Rajya;

The book, released by Information Department on Nov. 1, 1956, emphasised that Mysore was a State of diverse cultures, but Kannada was the binding factor

When the erstwhile Mysore State, comprising Kannada-speaking territories, came into existence on November 1, 1956, the Information Department of the then Mysore government brought out Mysore Rajya, a 440-page book, to mark the occasion. This six-decade-old volume laid emphasis on the fact that Mysore is a State of diverse cultures, but Kannada is the binding factor.

The book consists of two parts: the first containing articles by eminent people from Kannada-speaking areas, and the second on statistical data about 19 districts that formed the new State of Mysore. According to the preface, the idea behind the government bringing out the book “is to see that it will serve to create a mental and psychological fusion among its several areas”.

In the article Our Culture , R.R. Diwakar, the then Governor of Bihar, explained the difference between individual and social culture and pointed out that Kannada culture is part of Indian culture. Dr. Srikanata Shastry in his article The History of Karnataka dealt with the succession of ings who ruled Karnataka namely the Kadambas, Gangas, Chalukyas and Hoysalas culminating in the establishment of the Vijayanagar Empire. He also made a reference to the Mahratta influence on Mysore and Mohammedan rule under Hyder and Tipu.

B. Shivamurthy Shastry, in his article on Religious Movements in Karnataka, dealt with several religious movements that left their impression on Kannadigas. In his illuminating article on thePolitical Life of Kannadigas , Tirumale Tatacharya Sharma pointed out that the kings of Karnataka have always stood for a Welfare State. Gorur Ramaswamy Iyengar has traced several events that led to the formation of the New Mysore State in his article on The Formation of New Mysore. Writer Jayadevi Taayi Ligade has given a good account of the part played by women in Karnataka. Writing on modern Kannada literature, A.N. Krishna Rao dealt in detail about development in prose, drama, short story, lyric, novel, and literary review, and indicated that the influence of English literature has given a liberal outlook among the Kannada authors.

The publication has messages from Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, first Vice-President of India, Chakravarti Rajagopalachari, the last Governor-General of India, Jayachamaraja Wadiyar, Governor Mysore State, and Chief Minister S. Nijalingappa.

Kadidal Manjappa, who was Chief Minister till October 31, 1956, in his introduction stated: “We must not forget that under the scheme of States’ Reorganisation, we are only altering the number and boundaries of the States for administrative purposes and not trying to set up Independent Sovereign States”.

A photo of the Vidhana Soudha in the book.

Interestingly, batting for the need of “multilingual, multinational State”, C. Rajagopalachari dubbed such State as “ideal State in political theory”. He also said: “let us not allow small and narrow interests to take obstinate root and obstruct real progress”.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities > Bengaluru / by Muralidhar Khajane / Bengaluru – November 01st, 2016

… and the award turns 50

October 31, 2016Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Leaders, Records, Alladmin

It is the 50th year of the Karnataka Rajyotsava Award.

Though the Mysore State comprising Kannada-speaking territories came into existence on November 1, 1956 the tradition of conferring the award — considered to be the second highest civilian honour for persons of eminence for their contribution to their respective fields — began in 1966.

Except on two occasions, once during the Vishwa Kannada Sammelan held in Mysuru in 1985 and Kanteerava Indoor Stadium in 2008, the award ceremony has been held in Ravindra Kalakshetra, which is the icon of Kannada and culture in the State.

While 10 eminent persons, including Dr. M.C. Modi, who claimed to have performed a record half-a-million eye surgeries, were selected for the award in 1966, the number did not change for the next decade. However, this was increased to 21 in 1973. The number even crossed three digits in the later years. The S. Bangarappa regime had chosen 175 awardees and the Dharam Singh government had chosen 176. But at that time, the cash component was just Rs. 10,000, which was increased to Rs. 1 lakh in 2008. As many as 92 personalities were chosen for the award in 2008 during B.S. Yeddyurappa’s tenure as the Chief Minister. The number even reached 162 in 2010 during Mr. Yeddyurappa’s tenure.

In the last 50 years, awards were not conferred for various reasons, including natural calamities.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Bengaluru / Muralidhara Khajane / Bengaluru – October 31st, 2016

My dream has been fulfilled, says Rajyotsava awardee Ballari Sujathamma

October 31, 2016Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Records, All, Uncategorizedadmin

“My dream has been fulfilled. I am very happy.” This was how septuagenarian Ballari Sujathamma, a well-known ‘bylaata’ and ‘parijatha’ artiste, reacted when she heard that the government was conferring the prestigious ‘Rajyotsava’ award on her.

After learning music under the tutelage of her father, Ms. Sujathamma took to acting at the age of ten. Her career as an artiste began with ‘Girija Kalyan,’ where she donned the role of Rathi. Since then, she has acted in various mythological plays not only in Bylaata and Parijatha, but also in theatre, including Ramayana, where she donned the lead roles. She has acted in plays such as Rakta Ratri, Kurukshetra, Dushyasana Vadhe , Daksha Brahma in over six decades of her acting career.

Ms. Sujathamma has also performed in Telugu plays in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh.

“Acting was the only source of income to feed my family and also to raise my children. I was forced to act in a play when my son, daughter-in-law and my grandson died in a fire accident. Such was our economic condition. Luckily, I used to get opportunities to act and I won the appreciation of the connoisseurs throughout and now Government has chosen me for the Rajyotsava award. I am very happy,” she told The Hindu.

Ms. Sujathamma is also a recipient of Karnataka Janapada, Yakshagana Academy award and the Kittur Rani Chennamma Award.

Though she still gets requests to act in plays, Ms. Sujathamma rejects them owing to age factor. She now imparts training in acting and singing to interested people.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National> Karnataka / by Special Correspondent / Ballari – October 31st, 2016

Bengaluru skater helps India win 1st medal at international meet

October 30, 2016Records, All, Sports, World Opinionadmin

Dhanush Babu(right) with teammates Vikram Ingale and Nikhilesh Tabhane after winning the medal in the 17th Asian Speed Skating Championships in Lishui, China

“I was determined to win a medal and it did not matter even if I lost a leg,” were the words of determination of Bengaluru skater Dhanush Babu, after winning India’s first-ever medal in the 17th Asian Speed Skating Championships in Lishui, China, on Thursday.

That determination is perhaps the reason for the success. Dhanush along with Vikram Ingale and Nikhilesh Tabhane, created history. The trio came out with all guns blazing to win the bronze medal in the 3,000 metres relay event. This is the first time India has won a medal in competitive skating in two decades. This is also a first in the senior category.

Speaking to Express from China, Dhanush, the youngest of the three, said, “I was the last to start the last 200-metre lap in the race. We were in the fourth position and the only thing that went through my mind was, I am not going to return without a medal. Let me give it whatever I have got, even if it means injuring my leg’. That 200-metre sprint was the best one of my life,” he said.

The Indian team was fourth in the five-team race when Dhanush went for the final push. His late charge resulted in the Indian team getting past Chinese Taipei to clinch the coveted medal. South Korea won the gold and China clinched the silver medal.

About his first stint in the senior category, Dhanush said, “At the national level, the three of us are hardcore competitors. We don’t even talk to each other before the event. But here, representing India, we came together as a force and won the medal. This has definitely boosted our confidence to win more medals as a team in future championships. This team is considered to be a ‘dream relay team’.

From Vidhana Soudha to Asian Championship medal

Dhanush’s mother Sudha Babu, who is also in China, said that she was in tears when her son won the medal. “The hard work and sacrifice that we invested has paved the way for success,” she said.
Recalling how Dhanush got the determination to pursue skating she said, “When Dhanush was three years old, he saw an eagle flying high with its wings spread wide near the Sree Kanteerava Stadium. At that moment, he expressed his desire to do something of that sort. After being enrolled for skating classes, he was not really comfortable. Later, his father Babu started training him in front of Vidhana Soudha and by the time he started practicing in the rink, he was into competitive skating,” she remarked.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Bengaluru / by Kiran Parashar K M / Express News Service / October 29th, 2016

AeroMIT and their flying machines win accolades

October 28, 2016Education, Records, All, Science & Technologyadmin

Manipal:

AeroMIT, Manipal Institute of Technology’s aero-modelling enthusiasts who design, build, test and fly radio controlled aircraft, capped their performances earlier this year with two more accomplishments.
AeroMIT participated in two competitions at NITK, Surathkal and NIT, Calicut and returned with ‘flying’ colours. In the competition at NITK, the team won second and third places and at NIT, Calicut, the team finished first and second.

The first competition that AeroMIT participated in was Engineer, Technical Festival of NITK, Surathkal. MIT team’s event was called ‘Wright Flight’.

The aim of competition was to test flying skills and manoeuvrability of scratch built remote controlled aircraft and compete by executing complex in-flight manoeuvers as well as dropping payload on a bulls-eye target. This involved spot take-off and landing and stable flight.

The second competition was in Tathva, a technical festival at NIT Calicut and their event was called ‘Albatross’. Here the team required to scratch build an aircraft with maximum takeoff weight of 700 grams and adhere to limited wingspan and could take-off from top of a building and spot land on a bulls-eye. It also included points for manoeuvrability, range of flight and speed. The team won 1st and 2nd places.

AeroMIT had on December 28, 2015 outmatched 37 teams including IITs and NITs to clinch the first place in its maiden appearance in the Boeing National Aero-modelling Competition for West zone.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> Chennai News> Bangalore / TNN / October 27th, 2016

Corneal transplant gives Kalaburagi man a new life

October 27, 2016Records, All, Science & Technologyadmin

Access to higher education makes the impossible possible

Siddaramayya Hiremath, who was born visually impaired at a remote village in Jewargi taluk, Kalaburagi district, and later underwent a corneal transplant, is a happy man today. He has now been selected for the post of Second Division Assistant (SDA) in the Directorate of Employment, Bengaluru.

Born in Kanameshwar village in Jewargi, Mr. Hiremath had his first glimpse of the world in 2009, when he was studying in Class 9 at the Government Blind School in Kalaburagi city, after a successful corneal transplant by noted ophthalmologist Prashant Kamalapurkar. This corneal transplant was reportedly a first for the Hyderabad-Karnataka region.

“I have no words to express my joy… one of my patients not only got his vision back, he also completed his education and got a government job after passing the KPSC (Karnataka Public Service Commission) examination,” said Dr. Kamalapurkar.

Mr. Hiremath said that after gaining vision, he completed SSLC at the Government Blind School in Kalaburagi and moved to Bengaluru, where he completed Pre University Course (PUC) at the A.P.S. College.

He later moved to Vijayapura district to pursue BA at the H.A. Nandi College, Almel. He said he took the KPSC exam for the post of SDA in 2015-16 and cleared it. “It would not have been possible to continue my education beyond SSLC (Secondary School Leaving Certificate) since there are no study books in Braille. The visually impaired pursue studies any further only through audio. I am grateful to the donor and Dr. Kamalapurkar, who performed the surgery and provided medicines free of cost,” Mr. Hiremath recalled.

Mr. Hiremath lost his father when he was young and his mother Sharanamma is an agricultural labourer. His brother Ningaiah Hiremath, who is also visually impaired, has been selected to the post of a First Division Assistant (FDA) in a State government department. His younger brother and sister have normal vision.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National> Karnataka / by Special Correspondent / Kalaburagi – October 20th, 2016

Kittur gets ready for cultural fest

October 27, 2016Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Records, All, Uncategorizedadmin

The Kittur Fort will be the venue for the event.– PHOTO: VIJAYKUMAR PATIL

The historical Kittur Fort, the seat of the erstwhile princely state of Kittur ruled by Rani Chennamma in the early 19th century, is being readied for ‘Kittur Utsav-2016’, the annual cultural extravaganza organised by the district administration and the Department of Kannada and Culture.

The three-day event will begin on Sunday.

The State-sponsored festival is organised to celebrate ‘Vijayothsava’, the heroic battle the queen of Kittur fought against the British army in 1824. Since then, her historic deeds have celebrated in songs and stories.

This time of year is festive for the residents Kittur town of Bailhongal taluk, situated along the Pune-Bengaluru NH-4, and for the large number people from adjoining villages and towns who converge at Kittur to watch the cultural programmes depicting various art forms and sports native to north Karnataka and other parts of the State.

The festivities were symbolically set off last Sunday with Small Scale Industries and district in-charge Minister Ramesh L. Jarkiholi offering ceremonial puja at the memorial of Rani Chennamma in Bailhongal town before flagging off the ‘Vijay Jyoti’.

The main events will commence with the arrival of the Vijay Jyoti, after travelling through all the 10 taluks of the district, in Kuttur town on the morning of October 23. After according a ceremonial reception to the Vijay Jyoti, a grand cultural rally will be flagged off at 10 a.m.

Later in the evening, Revenue Minister Kagodu Thimmappa will inaugurate the cultural festivities at 7 p.m. at the huge pandal erected on the fort premises.

The State government has sanctioned Rs. 30 lakh for the festivities, said Vidyavathi Bhjantri, assistant director, Department of Kannada and Culture.

All about it

It will be on fromOctober 23 to 25.
A huge pandal with 6,000 chairs and a big stage measuring 140×260 ft has been erected.
Sports events onOct. 24: Bicycle race for men and women, 7 a.m.; open volleyball competitions for men and women, 11 a.m. onwards; open kabbadi competitions, 12 noon onwards.
Sports events onOct. 25: Open marathon, 7 a.m.; stone-lifting contest, 11 a.m.; wrestling bouts for men & women, from 2 p.m.
Valedictory function at 7 p.m. on October 25

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Bags Best Poster Award

October 21, 2016Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Records, Alladmin

Mysuru :

A. Pramod Kumar, Research Scholar, working in Asha Kirana Charitable Trust Hospital (from JSS College of Pharmacy), has received the prestigious AIDS Society of India (ASI) Best Poster Award for his presentation titled “Effect of Cinnarizine on Efavirenz induced dizziness among Antiretroviral Therapy Naïve HIV patients” at the 9th ASICON – National Conference of AIDS Society of India held from Oct. 7 to 9 in Mumbai.

As prevalence of HIV infection is increasing, Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART) programmes continue to expand and large population are being exposed to Anti-Retro Virals (ARVs). The safety of ARVs is a major concern as it can cause both serious short-term and long-term adverse reactions. Patients do not adhere to their medications due to adverse effects resulting in resistance and ultimately treatment failure. His research findings suggested the development of strategies to prevent such Adverse Drug Reactions (ADR) will help physicians to gain understanding of factors to develop an ADR in HIV positive patients and prevent these reactions, which in turn help improve the adherence to medications. This paper has driven the attention of various authorities seeking the programme implementation at ART centre level, according to a press release from Dr. Srirama, Medical Officer, Asha Kirana Hospital.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / October 18th, 2016

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