Category Archives: Amazing Feats

After tragic accident, Belagavi man runs ‘ambulance service’ for free

Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Records, All

Sometimes, when one door closes, another one opens. This is the case with a 42-year-old man from Belagavi, who made it his life’s mission into helping those in need.

Belagavi’s ‘nocturnal ambulance man’ Manjunath with his family | Express
Belagavi’s ‘nocturnal ambulance man’ Manjunath with his family | Express

 

Belagavi :

Sometimes, when one door closes, another one opens. This is the case with a 42-year-old man from Belagavi, who made it his life’s mission into helping those in need. Manjunath Pujari, who failed in fulfilling his dream of joining the Indian Army, is popularly known as the ‘nocturnal ambulance man’ in Belagavi. A resident of Ashok Nagar, Manjunath has saved hundreds of lives by providing free ambulance service in his autorickshaw for the past three years. Appreciating his work, The India Book of Records titled him ‘Nocturnal Ambulance Man’ with a certificate recently.

Manjunath was influenced by his family’s strong sense of patriotism, which is why he wanted to join the Army. However, he met with a tragic accident at a young age, which shattered not just his leg, but also his dreams. Manjunath’s right leg and left hand were injured, and he had to spend over a month in hospital. Doctors fixed a metal rod in his broken leg, and his arm too had suffered permanent damage. The trauma still haunts Manjunath, who says that even today, he has difficulty carrying heavy objects and can’t walk normally. Despite this, Manjunath didn’t lose hope, and decided that if he can’t serve his country, he will dedicate his life to helping the needy. He bought a taxi, which he used to ferry customers to feed his family during the day; and at night, the taxi was used to help those with medical emergencies, free of cost. However, when Manjunath got a good job offer, he sold his taxi. “One day, a pregnant woman asked me to help her reach the hospital at midnight, but I had sold my taxi.

Manjunath Pujari
Manjunath Pujari

Though I managed to get her to the hospital, the incident shook me. I felt guilty for selling my taxi, and decided to buy an autorickshaw by taking loans from my friends,” says Manjunath. Now, Manjunath’s auto is ever-ready to ferry patients to hospitals at night. Pregnant women, children, the elderly, people who have met with accidents — Manjunath helps them all. His service has gained him great respect. He also advertises his services, urging people to call him during emergencies. Manjunath starts his day at 6 am, and whatever money he earns from ferrying customers till 9am, goes into a charity box that he donates to NGOs in Belagavi. From 10 am to 5 pm, he works at a private firm to support his family. After work hours, he again runs his auto from 6pm to 11 pm, and the money made during these rides is used for fuel and maintenance of his auto, so that he can ferry patients at night.

“My duty, what others call ‘social work’, gives me a sense of great satisfaction. I lost out on a chance to serve the nation, but now, I have the chance to help the needy with whatever resources available. Recognising my work, my colleagues at the company I work for applied my name for the India Book of Records. To my luck, I was awarded the certificate, Manjunath says, adding that his parents and wife are his support system, who encourage him in all his endeavours. Nagaratna Ramagouda, president of Ashraya Foundation that works with HIV+ children, says, “Many people have the resources and time to help the needy or bring about change in society, but not too many show interest. Manjunath, however, who works with a private company as an assistant, is the best example of how one can become a social worker. After earning for his family, he helps the needy. He has a rich heart, and I’m proud to call him my friend.” Manjunath also works as an advisor at Ashraya foundation.

Service even after death
Even after death, Manjunath wants to help the less fortunate. He has arranged for his organs to be donated to KLE Hospital. He also creates awareness among people on donating their bodies to science, as it helps in medical research. He has also saved many lives by donating blood during emergencies. He has donated blood 40 times as of now.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Karnataka / by Sunil Patil / Express News Service / March 22nd, 2020

FOC-Standard LCA Tejas takes to skies on maiden flight in Bengaluru

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K A Muthana (Retd), Chief Test Flying (Fixed Wing), the aircraft took-off from HAL Airport at around 1230 hours, the Bengaluru-headquartered defence PSU said in a statement.

LCA Tejas. (File | EPS)
LCA Tejas. (File | EPS)

Bengaluru :

Tejas, the first Light Combat Aircraft in Final Operational Clearance-standard (SP-21) took to the skies for its maiden flight here on Tuesday, the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited said.

Piloted by Air Cmde. K A Muthana (Retd), Chief Test Flying (Fixed Wing), the aircraft took-off from HAL Airport at around 1230 hours, the Bengaluru-headquartered defence PSU said in a statement.

It was airborne for 40 minutes.

This flight signifies exemplary teamwork between various stakeholders of the LCA Tejas programme such as HAL, Directorate General of Aeronautical Quality Assurance, Centre for Military Airworthiness and Certification, Indian Air Force and Aeronautical Development Agency, HAL CMD, R Madhavan said.

“HAL achieved the momentous feat within a record time of 12 months after the release of Drawing Applicability List (DAL) and SOP (Standard Operating Procedure) by CEMILAC”, the statement said.

“This would pave the way for the production of remaining 15 fighters from FOC (Final Operational Clearance) block, which are planned to be delivered during the next financial year”, it said.

The FOC aircraft are equipped with advanced features such as Air-to-Air refuelling and Beyond Visual Range (BVR) missile system.

“It imbibes a lot of manufacturing improvements which were based on the operational feedback of LCA IOC (Initial Operational Clearance) fleet with IAF”, HAL said.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Nation / by PTI / March 17th, 2020

IISc.’s biochemistry department turns 100

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Established in 1921, it is one of the oldest in India and Asia

The Department of Biochemistry of the Indian Institute of Science (IISc.) stepped into its centenary year in 2020. Established in 1921, it is said to be one of the oldest departments not only in India, but in all of Asia. Around 850 students have graduated from the department so far.

P.N. Rangarajan, Chairperson, Department of Biochemistry, told The Hindu that the major achievement has been its students, many of who are now leaders in industry and academia. “One of them J. Padmanabhan – alumni and faculty – became the director of IISc. M.R.S. Rao went on to become the president of the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, and Ram Rajasekharan became the Director of CFTRI-Mysuru,” he said.

The department has planned a major conference and alumni reunion in December, as well as a centenary lecture series that will be held almost every month. On the IISc.’s Open Day on Saturday, it is organising an exhibition highlighting its past and current activities.

Prof. Rangarajan’s own research has led to the development of the hepatitis B vaccine. “At least four vaccines are currently in the market. The hepatitis B component in these vaccines came from the lab of the Department of Biochemistry,” he added.

In a recent issue of the journal Current Science, Prof. Rangarajan lists out the progression of research in the department. This includes ‘research of societal relevance’ in the early years which resulted in the development of methods for conversion of municipal waste into organic manure and fluoride removal from drinking water, to name a few.

The article makes note of key contributions in basic research such as the identification of yeast chromosomes and nuclear membrane.

Ongoing research

At present, a novel drug combination for extremely drug resistant and multi-drug resistant TB, as well as new blood-based biomarker signatures of host genes for diagnosis of tuberculosis and for detecting response to anti-tubercular therapy are being developed, he told The Hindu. “A novel inhibitor of DNA repair enzyme called SCR7 has also been developed in our laboratory. It has the potential to develop as a cancer drug,” said Prof. Rangarajan.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Bengaluru / by K.C. Deepika / February 28th, 2020

This Udupi autorickshaw driver ensures you’re well sheltered

Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment

However, if you ever chance upon the bus shelter in Vaddarse village in Udupi district, don’t worry, it’s not the sun playing tricks with your eyes.

Bus shelter maintained by Raghu. (Inset) Newspapers and magazines stacked on a rack
Bus shelter maintained by Raghu. (Inset) Newspapers and magazines stacked on a rack

Udupi :

Think of bus shelters and the first thing that comes to mind are ramshackle structures with a broken roof and stone benches with cracks or wooden ones with splinters sticking out. The lack of maintenance and official apathy leave most of these structures a sorry sight. Without cabs or Metro trains as in cities, buses are of paramount importance in villages as they are the only way to go from one place to another for those who don’t own a vehicle. But the condition of these shelters forces people to brave the hot sun or pouring rain while waiting for their bus.

Raghu Vaddarse
Raghu Vaddarse

However, if you ever chance upon the bus shelter in Vaddarse village in Udupi district, don’t worry, it’s not the sun playing tricks with your eyes. As you enter the shelter, which is spick and span, you’ll find a stack of newspapers and magazines neatly arranged on a rack, a dustbin in a corner, a pot filled with drinking water and a trough filled with flowering plants outside. This shelter is a model bus shelter for the village. The person responsible for its upkeep is 35-year-old autorickshaw driver Raghu Vaddarse. For the past one year, he has been sweeping the shelter clean, replacing the water and arranging the magazines every morning. Thanks to his efforts, people can comfortably wait for the bus.

Raghu has only studied till Class 8. Hailing from a poor family, he had to discontinue his education so that he could earn for his family. He has four siblings — his elder brother Tej, his younger brother Dinesh, his younger sister Hema and elder sister Prema. When he told his siblings that he wanted to maintain a bus shelter in the village, all four of them wholeheartedly supported him. Even his parents, Venkata Poojary and Parvathi, are proud of his initiative. Raghu decided to take it upon himself to maintain the bus shelter because of the effort it took to get it built.

Last year, people had asked their local elected representative to provide them with a properly maintained bus shelter because there was no proper shelter in the area and that some of them in the area had become a den of anti-social activities. However, the local representatives kept dilly-dallying on the matter. It was then that Raghu spoke to the gram panchayat officials and said that he would take care of the shelter if one was built. Finally, things started moving when a shelter was sanctioned under the Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme.

Since then, Raghu and a group of volunteers have been diligently taking care of the shelter. Speaking to The New Sunday Express, Raghu says, “I am doing this because I feel it is my small contribution to the society. Some of the magazines and books in the shelter are mine and some were donated.” Despite the rains ending in October, the plants have not dried as he waters them regularly. Now, the villagers of Vaddarse can sit and read a magazine or have a sip of water as they wait for their bus. Raghu says that he did this because he wanted to inspire others. “I will be happier if youths in villages come forward to do their bit for the cause of social service,” he says.

Bus, a boon
The village of Vaddarse is about about 18 km from Kundapur and 4 km from Kota. About 100-150 villagers use the bus to get around. When Raghu decided to beautify the shelter, local shopkeepers helped him plant saplings.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Expres / Home> States> Karnataka / by Prakash Samaja / Express News Service / February 27th, 2020

Start-up to research on degenerative eye disease

Amazing Feats, Business & Economy, Records, All, Science & Technology
Two vials showing stem cell modified Retinal Pigment Epithelium cells (which appear brown/black). The quantity of each vial is enough for five patients. PIC Courtesy: Dr Jogin Desai
Two vials showing stem cell modified Retinal Pigment Epithelium cells (which appear brown/black). The quantity of each vial is enough for five patients. PIC Courtesy: Dr Jogin Desai

A city-based medical science startup is gearing up to halt the progress of degenerative eye disease in Indians after trials in blind rats showed the creatures regaining their sight in a few months.

Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is a form of blindness that affects a segment of the adult population after they reach the age of 50. It accounts for 8.7% of all blindness worldwide. Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP), meanwhile, is a rare genetic  disorder, which affects one child in 4,000.

Dr Jogin Desai
Dr Jogin Desai

There is no known cure for the diseases. However, Dr Jogin Desai, whose startup, Eyestem, which has been under incubation by the government’s Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms (C-Camp) for the past three years, believes its work can halt the progression of the diseases by using genetically modified stem cells to restore the pigment epithelium in the cornea.

The pigment epithelium, which is only 1.5 mm thick, performs critical functions that support photoreceptor health and integrity. It was likened to the ‘foundation’ of a building. The therapy will also seek to restore the photoreceptor cells in the retina, which were likened to ‘buildings’. Phase 1 human clinical trials are set to start in 12 to 15 months.

Existing research postulates that using biodegradable ‘scaffolding’ upon which modified cells are stacked can help rebuild the pigment epithelium. However, Dr Desai said that current work delivering modified Eycyte-RPE (or Retinal Pigment Epithelium) cells, which are suspended in the liquid, is even more effective.

“We have found that cells delivered in this way automatically seek out their ‘body niche’ and assimilate into the system,” he said, adding that trials in blind lab rats had showed the animals regaining their vision over a two-month period.

‘Most discoveries fail’ 

Desai, however, cautioned that no amount of promise can legitimise an idea if its time has not yet come. “In fact, just one of 1,600 scientific discoveries made in research labs makes it into a fully fledged development where it can impact people’s lives,” he explained.
Most scientific discoveries are weeded out in exacting, three-phased clinical trials, based on the criteria of safety, scalability and effectiveness.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> City> Life in Bengaluru / by Akhil Kadidal / DHNS, Bengaluru / December 09th, 2019

Students bag top spots in Cambridge assessment

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All of them are from Inventure Academy

Four students from a Bengaluru school have bagged topped spots in the Cambridge Assessment International Examinations (CAIE). Their performance was based on tests conducted in the November 2018 and June 2019 Cambridge examination series, the results of which were announced on Friday.

There was celebrations at Inventure Academy as two of their students received ‘Top in the World’ awards for mathematics while two others received ‘Top in the Country’ awards in a range of subjects, including computer science, design and technology, geography, and global perspective and research.

School captain Divij Gupta has topped the world in mathematics for three consecutive years. He is a member of Inventure’s round square youth parliament and football, athletics and music teams. He aspires to pursue theoretical physics at one of the world’s leading universities. “It is a surreal feeling to have bagged three top of the world ranks. It reaffirms my interest in math and motivates me to work harder in the same stream going forward. I am grateful to my teachers, my school and my parents for their continuous support,” he said.

Omkar Ashutosh Kerkar has topped the world in AS-level mathematics. Abhishek Jain topped the country in A-level computer science and received the high achievement award in AS-level design and technology while Indika Kandwal received the high achievement award in A level geography and AS level global perspectives and research.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Bengaluru / by Staff Reporter / November 22nd, 2019

Bengaluru-origin cardiologist performs path-breaking heart surgery in US

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Dr Aditya Bharadwaj inserted a heart pumping device and a stent through the axillary artery in the shoulder instead of the femoral artery in the groin.

Cardiologist Dr Aditya Bharadwaj with his 70-year-old patient
Cardiologist Dr Aditya Bharadwaj with his 70-year-old patient

 

Bengaluru :

In a path-breaking move, an interventional cardiologist from Bengaluru, Dr Aditya Bharadwaj, has opened new options for stent surgery and other cardiac procedures.

He inserted a heart pumping device and a stent through the axillary artery in the shoulder. Traditionally, a heart pumping device is inserted through the femoral artery in the groin and a stent through a separate artery. Dr Bharadwaj has opened up an optional access point to the affected parts of the heart for cardiologists across the world. Axillary artery is a much closer access point to the heart than the femoral artery, which is through the groin.

The procedure was carried out at Loma Linda University and Heart Institute in California, on a 70-year-old Vietnam war veteran who had recently suffered a cardiac arrest. Doctors found that he had severe coronary artery calcification, a condition where there is a build-up of calcium in the arteries causing blood vessels to shrink, leading to heart diseases.

A press statement by the university stated that surgeons were unable to insert interventions in the vascular entry points because of calcification. Due to the patient’s condition, there were no viable traditional arterial access points. With no options left, Dr Bharadwaj, a medical graduate from Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute, used the axillary artery to insert the stent and the pumping device. This, however, came with risks as working with arteries near the neck could lead to stroke.

However, Dr Bharadwaj carried on with the procedure and the patient was up and walking a few hours after the surgery. He was discharged two days later. “The success of this procedure opens the door for patients to have more viable cardiovascular intervention surgeries. Physicians have conducted single-access procedures through the femoral artery near the groin but never through the axillary artery,” Dr Bharadwaj said.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Bengaluru / by Express News Service / November 18th, 2019

Bengaluru’s Sindhu Gangadharan is first woman to head German tech giant

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While she’s often asked about work-life balance, the mother of two – who relocated to Bengaluru after spending 18 years in Germany – feels that it is “so last century.

Sindhu Gangadharan
Sindhu Gangadharan

Bengaluru :

When Sindhu Gangadharan walks into a meeting room, she is used to the audience anticipating the entry of a man. “There’s initial apprehension conveyed through their body language, but they soon realise she knows what she’s saying,” says Gangadharan, managing director of SAP Labs India, the first woman at the top of the German tech giant, leading an 8,000-plus team.

Despite that distinction, Gangadharan, who took charge in September, feels it’s what you bring to the table, articulating what you know, and bringing your best self to work that takes you to the top, gender not being a consideration. While there have been times she has been overlooked, she chooses to move on without dwelling upon it. “People in Germany used to ask if it was any different for me, growing up in India, and I always said it wasn’t. Growing up in Bengaluru, my mother had the same expectations from me that she had of my two brothers. Women are evolving away from compartmentalisation. Our focus is on achieving a flow between all aspects of our lives,” says Gangadharan, who studied in Bangalore University and started her career with SAP Labs India in 1999 when it was located in ITPL.

While she’s often asked about work-life balance, the mother of two – who relocated to Bengaluru after spending 18 years in Germany –  feels that it is “so last century.” For her, it’s about enjoying every part of the journey and learning from it. “These were often discussions on this in Germany, and I always felt there’s nothing like work-life balance. Work is also a significant part of one’s life,” says Gangadharan, adding that as a young girl on the debating team in school, she learned skills that she uses every day in her current product management role, making innovations easily understandable for people.

A lesson she learnt early on in her career is something she holds close. In 2001, when she moved to Germany, she would always enter discussions with a clear idea that everyone would speak English. “When I was on my maternity break, I came across many who would make an effort to speak in English. At that point I realised that when others were making an effort to make me feel comfortable, I should also be doing the same.

When I made that mental switch, it was like embracing the culture,” she says. She soon realised how it could break barriers and create a sense of inclusion. “It’s about overcoming inhibitions within yourself,” says Gangadharan, whose focus is on collaboration with a customer-centric approach, thought leadership and building a culture of inclusion.

Gangadharan is often spotted with a diary in hand, capturing her thoughts. With work keeping her busy, she admits that she doesn’t get as much time as she would like to for writing, which she eventually hopes to pursue soon.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Good News / by Vidya Iyengar / Express News Service / October 31st, 2019

Former Karnataka Lokayukta N. Venkatachala passes away

Amazing Feats, Records, All
A file photo of former Lokayukta of Karnataka N. Venkatachala with cash recovered following raids on three government officials in Bengaluru.
A file photo of former Lokayukta of Karnataka N. Venkatachala with cash recovered following raids on three government officials in Bengaluru.

He was known for bringing to light the existence of the anti-corruption body

N. Venkatachala, former judge of the Supreme Court and former Lokayukta of Karnataka , died here on Wednesday morning. He was 89.

He had an accidental fall after getting up around 6 a.m. According to a statement from Ramaiah Memorial Hospital, he was brought in an unresponsive state. “Despite all resuscitative measures, he remained unresponsive. He was declared dead at 7 a.m.,” said the statement issued by hospital president Naresh Shetty.

Mr. Venkatachala was known for bringing to light the existence of Karnataka’s autonomous anti-corruption wing as the Lokayukta by conducting raids on public servants and disclosing their names and particulars of seized assets, besides allowing the media to show video footage of his raids on public institutions such as hospitals on complaints related to poor public service.

Born on July 3, 1930, at Mittur village in Mulbagal taluk of Kolar district in a farming family, he obtained his B.Sc. degree and B.L. degree from Mysore University. He enrolled as an advocate in the then High Court of Mysore (now Karnataka) on November 16, 1955, and practised law in the High Court and its subordinate courts at Bengaluru in civil, criminal and constitutional matters.

He was a part-time Reader in Mercantile Law from 1958 to 1970 besides being a Legal Adviser to the University of Agricultural Sciences, Hebbal, from 1963 to 1973 and to Bangalore University from 1970 to 1973. He was the High Court’s government pleader from 1968 to 1973 and High Court’s government advocate from 1973 to 1977.

Mr. Venkatachala was appointed as Additional Judge of the High Court on November 28, 1977, and made a Permanent Judge on September 8, 1978. He also functioned as the head of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Tribunal under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, during 1990. He was appointed the Acting Chief Justice of the High Court in May 1992. He was elevated as a judge of the Supreme Court on July 1, 1992, and retired in July 1995. He was Lokayukta from July 3, 2001, to July 2, 2006.

His last rites will be performed at the Hebbal crematorium on Thursday.

In his condolence message, Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa described Mr. Venkatachala as a person who strengthened the anti-corruption body and also built public trust over it. Leader of the Opposition Siddaramaiah said his contribution to the fight against corruption would always be remembered.

Incidentally, Mr. Venkatachala’s daughter, Aruna Ramesh, is the Head of Emergency Department and son-in-law Ramesh D. is the head of Urology in Ramaiah hospital where he was rushed to after the fall. But both of them were out of the country, a statement from the hospital said.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Karnataka / by Special Correspondent & Krishnaprasad / Bengaluru – October 30th, 2019

Iconic architect analyses reasons for urban decay

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Balkrishna Doshi speaks exclusively to Metrolife about why great Indian architecture hasn’t percolated down to our dwellings, and how technology is robbing us of our intuition.

Doshi has set up a foundation to promote affordable housing in India.
Doshi has set up a foundation to promote affordable housing in India.

The Indian Institute of Management in Bengaluru celebrated its 46th Foundation on Monday, and unveiled a plaque in honour of its architect Dr Balkrishna Doshi. The legendary Doshi has worked closely with master architects such as Le Corbusier and Louis Kahn. His iconic design for the IIM-B campus is hailed across the world.

During his visit to Bengaluru, Doshi, 92, delivered a lecture titled ‘Between Encounters and Dreams’ at IIM-B.

The Padma Shri awardee and Pritzker Laureate has been instrumental in establishing the Vastu Shilpa Foundation for research in environmental design. The foundation has done pioneering work in low-cost housing and city planning. Metrolife caught up with him for a chat just before the celebrations.

Why do you think Bengaluru has not been able to retain its architectural charm?

Very simply, we are charmed by other cultures and technology and pursue personal interests. We don’t want to bother about environment or society. It is not just in Bengaluru but all over. When you use technology and tools, the personal rapport is reducing. When everybody is busy in their own world, then naturally the real world is not there. How many hours of the day we are using mobile phones and other technology… we really have no time to chat. We don’t talk casually. A few years ago, we would meet friends and talk about things we felt were important to us and then you carried the conversation home. But today, that world doesn’t exist. We have now found alternatives which may be technology and not human and that has become an essential part of our lives. The human values and concerns, ecological concerns, where are they? All the time we are busy.

What are your suggestions to make Bengaluru a better place in an architectural sense?

Why just architecturally, I think it should overall be a better place! How do we improve ourselves if we cut the trees, if we take the foliage, if we don’t go to the gardens and if we don’t have the time to reflect on our natural wealth but widen the roads and move around in cars? In fact, we have never taught people from childhood the real meaning of virtues like togetherness, or ponder over something that is nourishing. Why do people still go to temples? Because it is where they think there is some connection. Now we go to the temple, but our mind is not there. The trees are cut, roads are widened and landscapes are changed; are we gaining anything or losing?

Karnataka has a record of great architecture, right from Badami to Belur – with temples that are beautifully structured. Why didn’t this sense of architecture come down to ordinary folks? Why do you think our cities and homes are so miserably designed ?

When we look at a temple, it is the intangible, an inner calling that we look at. One tries to connect from the inside. Now there is a disconnect. Today, we have become materialistic and technologically oriented. Technology has taken over our spiritual content – the intangible one – where there was reverence, inquiry and an attitude to do things. What is our focus today, what are we searching for and what would it be that would make us the happiest? These are things we don’t want to ask now.  We want to do greater and faster production but what about our villages and towns that are gradually shrinking? Ecologically, the natural resources also have depleted, where is the place to remain ourselves? We think it is progress but we are forgetting that progress is connected to something higher and not just restricted to material progress. This is a major problem in planning and architecture.

Which city do you think is architecturally the most pleasing?

Well, the cities in the south are better. Of course, Varanasi is there, but that’s also dying. I did a project there, so I visited it often. Suddenly, there is a wedding procession and the public is still; then after some time, in some other place, the procession of a dead body is making its way and people stop and give way. I have always wondered how Varanasi never had a problem. That city has an underlying meaning to it.

His design vision for IIM-B

‘One of the things that I tried to do at IIM-B was to reverse the order. The IIM campus talks about nature, leisure, casual walks and one’s relationship with nature and the cosmos all the time.’

Quick takes

On what cities are losing: 

One of the essentials we had was the gift of intuition, thinking about reverence, togetherness, humility and concern for others… I don’t think they are there anymore.

On being celebrated in films like ‘Ok Kanmani’: 

That was by chance (laughs). It was Mani Ratnam who did this and it had nothing to do with me. The more time passes the more reflective you become, so I wonder.

But what I try to do is to find a way to look at time as one of the major elements and energy as another. So, if I can find a way to fuse time and energy and look at production as a meaningful thing, then those projects become important. So, everywhere, I would like to save, recycle, readjust.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> MetroLife / by Surupasree Sarmmah / DH News Service / Bengaluru – October 29th, 2019