Category Archives: World Opinion

Toronto: Manohar Pais elected MAC president

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, World Opinion

Toronto :

Manohar Pais, one of the dynamic and highly talented Konkani personalities outside India, has been unanimously elected as the president of ‘The Mangalorean Association of Canada (MAC)’ for the term 2017-2018 during its Annual General Body Meeting (AGM) held on Sunday, November 20 at Sts Martha and Mary Parish, Mississauga, Canada.

Radio Mango Award winner Manohar Pais is gifted with enormous talents and was groomed as an artiste at the St Francis Xavier Parish of Bejai, Mangaluru. Before moving to Dubai in search of greener pastures, he was actively involved on Konkani stage in Mangaluru, from the year 1977 for over 15 years. During this period, he acted in over 30 plays in various parishes in Mangaluru such as Passion Play during Lent, Inter Parish drama competitions, Fund raising programs, and other commemorating events.

As an eloquent and highly popular Master of Ceremonies, he has conducted over 500 functions and wedding receptions in various parts of South Kanara. As a teenager when he was just 17, he compered a full musical show at Town Hall Mangaluru for Paradela Bejai. Not only in various parts of India, he also performed as MC in the Middle East for the great Konkani musical shows of renowned Konkani music personalities like the late Wilfy Rebimbus, Melwyn Peris, Claud D’Souza, Rang Tarang Geet Mala, Patrao Bros, Henry D’Souza, Lawrence Saldanha during the musical nites organized by Mangalore Konkans Dubai and KCO in Abu Dhabi.

Manohar, who is gifted with a silken voice, has won many accolades in inter-parish competitions as a singer organized by the Konkani Natak Sabha in Mangaluru. As an actor and director par-excellence, Manohar has won several prizes in drama and fancy dress competitions including the best actor prize in All India level Konkani drama competition organized by Rangabhumi, Udupi in 1990. He directed, acted and staged the most successful ‘classic Konkani play ‘Tho Maka Naka’ in 2006 in Dubai. The DVDs of this stage play are still in great demand. After moving to Canada he has written, directed and staged four religious plays namely Fatima Saibhin, Ankwar Moriyechin Ajapan, Sontasache Mister and Anandache Mister staged during Monthi Fest festivities in Mississauga. He also directed and played a lead role in the recently staged play Kazarachi Dotorn. By profession Manohar is a banker and during the helm of his career he served Citibank NA in the Middle East reaching Senior Executive Level Positions (VP & CFO).

The MAC had very fruitful years during 2015-2016, a real drive towards unity among Mangalureans in the GTA and within Canada and a keen passion to keep the flame of culture and traditions burning brightly especially through the most cherished Nativity Feast (Monthi Fest). The members owe a huge debt of gratitude to the outgoing President, Maxim D’Mello and EC, who have served the Mangalurean community tirelessly by promoting MAC in the GTA and within Canada.

The MAC AGM started with a Prayer led by the Spiritual Director Fr. Edwin D’Souza followed by the welcome address by the incumbent president Maxim D’Mello. He extended a warm welcome to the members who attended in large numbers. He expressed his joy on the completion of the successful tenure and applauded exiting members of the Executive Committee for their dedication and hard-work. He thanked all the sponsors who have generously supported the Association. The former MAC President Ronald Fernandes, Pamela Soans and Prescilla D’Mello ably handled the rest of the proceedings of AGM.

General Secretary Reynold Sequeira presented the Annual Report for the year ended 2016. The Report rewound the memories of the audience to the happy times they spent together both indoors and outdoors during the past year.

Joel Lewis, the Treasurer, one of the most committed and dedicated members of MAC, presented the Financial Report of the association. This was followed by the Auditor’s report. Certified Financial Report by the Auditor Reginald Fernandes presented by Ivan Lobo. Prescilla D’Souza presented the details on the membership drive.

And so, the formation of the new Executive Committee for the upcoming year was the main highlight of the day. The members of the new Executive Committee for the year 2017–2018 are the following:

Spiritual Director : Fr. Edwin D’Souza
President : Manohar Pais
Vice president : Melwyn Menezes
General Secretary : Cynthie Fernandes
Joint Secretary : Olivia Moras
Treasurer : Louis Pereira
Assistant Treasurer : Prescilla D’Souza
Cultural Coordinator : Ronald Monteiro
Sports Coordinator : Olwin Pereira
Public Relations Coordinator : Manoj D’Cunha
Liturgical Facilitator : Nina Crasta
Web Master : Leonard Crasta
Auditor : Ivan Lobo

The AGM concluded by leaving the members to look forward for exhilarating events organized by the energetic, talented and vibrant EC team under the dynamic leadership of Manohar Pais.

source: http://www.daijiworld.com / DaijiWorld.com / Home> Top Stories / by Gerry D’Mello / Daijiworld Media Network / December 08th, 2016

City teen builds audio-based debating website

Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education, Science & Technology, World Opinion

Bengaluru :

A 12th grader from the city has developed what is possibly the world’s only online audio-based debating platform. The website ‘Debate for Change’, developed by Siddharth Pandiya (16), a student of Greenwood High International School, allows members world-wide to engage in debates on either any of the given topic or a topic of their choice.

The website is functioning since mid-October, currently has 150 members and took Siddharth, a month-and-a-half to build. Members can choose a topic and their stand on it, upon which the website pairs that member with another member who has an opposite stand, and then the debate is conducted by a moderator.

A ranking system has been incorporated in the website, wherein the winner of a debate, decided by the moderator, gets 100 points and the loser 25 points for participation. Until now, Siddharth himself would moderate the debates but now has a team to assist him.

Speaking about what led him to the idea, Siddharth, himself an avid debater since middle school, said, “When I went for debates I only learnt by watching other debaters, I didn’t have any platform to learn. I also feel the overall quality of debating, on TV for example, has deteriorated a lot.

People don’t even care so much anymore, they go to debates because it’s cool, not because they actually like talking about issues. Hence I created this.”
The teen has plans to incorporate many other features into the website, including an option to have video debates .

“I wanted this to be accessible to people with a 2G connection and hence began with only audio input,” he says, and adds, “You can also watch debates that are currently going on with the ‘spectate’ option and you can join tournaments.” He also plans to combine the service with Facebook by next week. He himself has represented India at 14 UN conferences until now and has won awards at every single one, including being awarded the best delegate at Harvard.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Bengaluru / by Express News Servic e / December 06th, 2016

A Mysurean Abroad

Leaders, World Opinion

The National Day Receptions were glittering occasions which enabled us to meet our own counterparts from other Embassies. Old photographs revive memories of past friendships. Our lives were enriched by reaching across national borders, to find that despite linguistic or cultural differences, we were fellow travellers in distant lands

A Toast at a National Day Reception.
A Toast at a National Day Reception.

by Girija Madhavan

My husband, A. Madhavan and I started life in the Indian Foreign Service in Rangoon [Yangon, Myanmar] from 1958 to 1961. Over thirty three years, we lived in nine posts abroad and two in New Delhi. We wandered from one metropolis to another, facing linguistic and life style challenges in different settings. We confronted cultural, climatic and political problems in some countries; we also experienced moments of delight in others. Such are the coloured skeins woven into the tapestry of our memories. Meeting people of different nationalities and cultures and forging friendships with them has been fulfilling.

The “Ministry of External Affairs and Commonwealth Relations” was formed in 1947 from the former “Foreign and Political Department” of the British Indian Government. The Indian Foreign Service [IFS] started in 1948, is its diplomatic wing. It is distinct from the Indian Forest Service, also “IFS,” which can be confusing. Among the early Indian diplomats is Sri V. Siddharthacharry of Acharya Vidya Kula, Mysuru. The first recruits were selected by of the Union Public Services Commission in 1948. Madhavan was a member of the batch of 1956. He was sent to Trinity College, Cambridge as part of his training. Burmese was his “Compulsory Foreign Language.” He also had to pass a Departmental exam in Hindi which he did not know. The poet Harivansh Rai Bachchan, father of Amitabh Bachchan, headed the Department of Hindi. This was the only exam in which Madhavan did not do well!

Now, IFS Trainees go to the Lal Bahadur National Academy of Administration in Mussoorie. Earlier it was in Metcalfe House, Delhi, near the Jamuna River. The training with the Police included horse riding. Madhavan remembers a Police horse which would obstinately try to trot back to its stable with him on its back in the middle of the exercise.

I first heard the words “Ambassador” and “Embassy” as a girl of twelve. This was when Dr. S. Radhakrishnan came to Yadavagiri, Mysuru, for the wedding of his son, Dr. S. Gopal, to a Mysurean bride. At that time he was the Ambassador of India to the USSR [1949 to 1952] and had come from Moscow for the wedding.

The bride was “Kaveri”, later re-named “Indira” by her parents-in-law. She was the second daughter of Dr. and Mrs. H.V. Ramaswamy, our close friends and a respected Mysurean family. They belonged to the Babboor Kamme community and hailed from Belavadi. Kaveri was tall, lovely and highly educated. The Ramaswamy home still stands in Yadavagiri and now houses the “Hobby Centre” for young people.

I remember Dr. Radhakrishnan walking down Vivekananda Road to the wedding venue in a gas lit marriage procession, standing out among the glittering, sari clad participants, a striking figure in a white Achkan and dhoti, worn in the “panchakaccham” style.

In 1959 we settled into the diplomatic circuit, the youngest in the official hierarchy. Getting on with our Embassy folk, Burmese officials and our neighbours was not so hard. At the core, diplomacy is what is known as “Jana Balike” in Kannada. The intricacies of protocol and entertaining were more complex. Now the Ministry of External Affairs arranges courses for young Indian diplomats and their spouses on etiquette, table arrangements and menus. Coming from a small town, I only knew of Rotary events in Hotel Metropole or Hotel Krishnaraja Sagara which I attended with my parents. Those parties were unlike the formal events we were invited to or had to host. We learnt by observing and adjusting. The National Day Receptions were glittering occasions which enabled us to meet our own counterparts from other Embassies. Old photographs revive memories of past friendships. Our lives were enriched by reaching across national borders, to find that despite linguistic or cultural differences, we were fellow travellers in distant lands.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Feature Articles / November 28th, 2016

Honour for UVCE principal

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

Bengaluru :

The University Visvesvaraya College of Engineering (UVCE) principal has been recognized for his contribution to computer science and engineering education.

The Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) conferred Venugopal KR the ACM Distinguished Educator Award 2016. Venugopal has 11 degrees, including a PhD in computer science engineering from IIT-Madras, and another PhD in economics from Bangalore University.

He has authored and edited 64 books and published more than 600 papers. “The contributions of our distinguished members led to breakthroughs that improve our lives, advance the frontiers of scientific discovery and boost economic development,” said Vicki L Hanson, president, ACM.

Venugopal was earlier given the prestigious IEEE Fellow Award, US.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News> City News> Bangalore News / Bengaluru / TNN / December 02nd, 2016

Telemedicine takes advancements in healthcare to distant corners

Business & Economy, Records, All, Science & Technology, World Opinion

Bengaluru :

The absence of advanced healthcare services in Kalaburagi had pushed Gaurav (name changed), into a state of panic, after he developed recurrent headaches following a minor fall he suffered last month. Although the report of a CT scan at a local hospital revealed nothing alarming, Gaurav was determined to seek a second opinion. He decided to make use of the telemedicine service available in the state; the images of his brain were transmitted to doctors at a Bengaluru-based teleradiology centre, who diagnosed the problem as subdural hematoma (clot in the brain). He was subsequently referred for a neurosurgical evacuation – a procedure that involves evacuating the hematoma through a small hole. “Staying away from Bengaluru has always been a handicap to getting advanced healthcare services. However, the rapidly expanding telemedicine facility ensured early detection of my problem, and I was cured,” said Gaurav, who underwent a surgery at the Gulbarga District Hospital.

Gaurav is among the many beneficiaries of telemedicine, which has helped many citizens in remote areas of the country seek medical opinion from some of the leading doctors. Meenamma (name changed) was worried sick when her two-day-old baby’s breathing became laboured, and developed poor perfusion – process of delivering blood to a capillary bed – and listlessness. The neonatologists felt it was sepsis. But, the doctors called for a cardiac screening to make sure that the baby did not have any problems in the heart. While conducting the test, the sonographer decided to consult a senior cardiologist, not present at the hospital. However, using tele-echo, the senior doctor was able to take a look at the result of the test, and subsequently diagnosed a coarctation – narrowing of the blood vessel going to the body. The baby was put on medication, and referred for a surgery.

Cardiac paediatrician and co-founder of Teleradiology Solutions, the first-of-its-kind company established in the country, Dr Sunita Maheswari said that the organisation was working with the Karnataka health department to take teleradiology services to the rural interiors of the state. “We already cover four centres in the state. The drive was recently launched by the state government at Bowring Hospital, Bengaluru. We have reviewed scan reports of at least four million patients from across the world in the past 14 years. We started working with the Indian government this month, and we deployed services for district health centres in Tripura. From our headquarters in Bengaluru, we help patients from as many as 16 countries,” she said.

Pointing to the acute shortage of radiologists in rural India, Sunita added, “India has only 10,000 radiologists. Through teleradiology, we can take their services to other areas, where there are hospitals and diagnostic centres, but no radiologists. Also, telecardiology will help patients avail opinion of experts, who are elsewhere. It is one of the leading methods of reaching patients in rural areas, suffering from cardiovascular disorders.”

Teleradiology Solutions works with four hospitals in the state. At a recent discussion on telemedicine held in Bengaluru, head of department of forensic medicine at Victoria Hospital, Dr Devdass PK said that they had managed to analyse and send 3,500 reports through telemedicine facility.

Enabling counselling from the comfort of home

Anuradha (name changed), 45, of Mysuru badly wanted to rid her teenage son of his online addiction. She wanted to put an end to his habit of frittering away entire days, surfing social media and playing games, while paying no heed to family members. Uncomfortable with the idea of taking her son to a counsellor, Anuradha sought recourse to telepsychiatry. Aided by a Bengaluru-based telecounsellor, she managed to curb her son’s addiction to gadgets. “My son is now behaving normally with the members of the family. He was able to receive help without having to leave home,” she added.

Professor in the department of psychiatry at the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (Nimhans), Bengaluru, Dr Manjunath N said, “Telepsychitary was introduced here six years ago. It was made possible through the Karnataka Telemedicine Network Project, introduced by the health department in 2001. Telemedicine service at Nimhans covers 25 district hospitals and six taluks. Although direct consultation with our psychiatrists is yet to begin, we continue to provide help to rural patients.”

Telecounselling eliminates the need for a patient to be physically present in the counsellor’s chambers, and also provides privacy, opined Aruna Arumugam, a telecounsellor with Healtheminds. “Also, it is accessible to those patients who cannot otherwise seek help. We get patients from West Bengal, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh and Pakistan, seeking help mostly on relationship issues, parenting challenges and depression,” she said.

Opthalmological services made available in rural areas

Karnataka Assisted Diagnosis of Retinopathy of Prematurity (KIDROP) was launched in 2008 by Narayana Nethralaya as a postgraduate teleopthalmology programme. Since 2010, along with the state health department, Narayana Nethralaya has managed to take retinopathy of prematurity screening to 36 centres across the state, along with wide field digital imaging services.

Chairman of Narayana Nethralaya, Dr Bhujang Shetty said, “KIDROP has trained technicians to screen infants in peripheral centres, where there are no specialists using Retcam Shuttle. They can store and subsequently upload images from the rural centres using an indigenously developed internet-based PACS system. This system delivers images live to the remote expert, who then sends the report to the technician.”

E-healthcare centres benefit nearly 40,000 patients

For the past two years, Narayana Health (NH), in collaboration with Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE), has been looking to take telecardiology, teleconsultation and tele-ECG services to rural areas. So far, its e-health centres have managed to reach 39,624 patients in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Gujarat and Rajasthan.

“The e-healthcare centres (eHCs) are designed such that they can be fit and deployed within a standard shipping container. Or, they are retrofitted to a pre-existing clinic, depending on the community’s existing infrastructure. They are fully equipped with workstations, open electronic medical records, biometric patient identification and integrated diagnostic devices,” a source at Narayana Health said.

“The HP cloud enabled technology allows for data – clinical and administrative – to be monitored across sites via a dynamic dashboard. Teleconsultation with relevant physicians from NH unit hospitals have been established at these eHCs, and dedicated internet services at all sites ensures seamless connectivity to the geographically linked healthcare facility. Outreach activities such as community screening programmes and customised medical programmes are organised with specialist support based on the dominant disease prevalence and incidence in the eHC location and catchment areas,” the source added.

‘We’re training doctors in telepsychiatry’

Since its inception six years ago, only 2,000 patients have availed the services of the telemedicine facilities at Nimhans. Professor at Nimhans’ psychiatry department, Dr Manjunath N attributes the underwhelming response to the lack of trained psychiatrists in telemedicine. “Though patients with common and chronic mental disorders are willing to discuss their problems through e-consultation and e-counselling, lack of doctors trained in manning telemedicine services for psychiatry is the problem. Trained professionals who can offer psychiatric services to rural patients from Bengaluru would solve the problem. We are also training resident doctors in telepsychiatry to overcome the problem of scarcity,” he added.

‘Well-trained technicians, and the will to invest is all we need’

At our vision centres, we make use of a portable Slit Lamp Biomicroscope connected via LAN network to the base hospital, which helps doctors diagnose chronic conditions such as retinopathy of prematurity, a potentially blinding eye condition that affects newborns, irreversible corneal conditions like keratoconus and diabetes-induced retinopathy. All it requires are well-trained technicians and the will to invest in quality equipment.

Dr Siddharthan KS | consultant at cornea and refractive services in sankara eye hospital.

‘Services will boost medical tourism in state’

A prior screening through telemedicine ensures that the patient is screened properly, and helps us confirm if the patient has to travel to avail services at the hospital. Many a time, it has saved patients the trouble of travelling to our hospital. Moreover, teleconsultation also increases the comfort and confidence level of the patients with their doctors, who are far away. This is a boost to medical tourism, since it makes it easier for patients to know more about their doctor.

Dr Harsha Rajaram | vice president at columbia asia hospitals

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News> Chennai News> Bangalore News / by Sreemoyee Chatterjee / TNN / November 28th, 2016

Sharjah: Multitalented Ganesh Rai to be honoured with ‘Global Man Award’

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Leaders, Records, All, World Opinion

Dubai :

Multitalented former president of Karnataka Sangha Sharjah, B K Ganesh Rai is being bestowed with the ‘Global Man Award 2015’ for his contributions to Kannada language, literature, art, folk and social service both globally and in India and is the only one chosen from the UAE for this award. The award will be presented to him during the 12th Vishwa Kannada Samskruthi Sammelana and 13th anniversary of Karnataka Sangha Sharjah celebrations to be held on November 19 and 20 at Al Boom Tourist Village, Sharjah, UAE.

Ganesh Rai is the name that flashes in the minds of every Kannadiga specially in the UAE when it comes to matters of creativity. Multitalented, one can call him “Sakala Kala Vallaban”, be it different forms of painting, from miniatures to wall size, various forms of sculptures, from paper pulp to plaster or parry’s, large stage settings, tableaux, palatial sets, photography, videography, brochures, digital banners, souvenirs, models… you name it and you will find the skills in this great man, Ganesh Rai. He will simply smile and says yes without any hesitation, as for him work is worship and so he does it with ease. He is a good speaker too, a recepient of “Karnataka State Best Teacher Award” in the year 1993.

Hailing from Madikeri, Coorg, Ganesh Rai was born to Thulasiamma and Krishnappa Rai who themselves sound ‘Krishna Tulasi’, close to the Lords. Madikeri has gifted to the world this unique personality called Ganesh Rai who always keep saying “Elladaru iru, yenthadaru iru, yendendhigu nee Kannada vaagiru. (Live wherever you want to, be whatever you want to be, but remain a Kannadiga forever).”

Professor of art, B K Ganesh Rai needs no introduction in this part of the world. He is a person who rises above boundaries of colour, caste, creed, religion and language. Be it a request for art, stage setting, designing, printing, executing brochures, logos, invitations, souvenirs, sculpture, decorating stage from any corner of people, any corner of UAE, at any point of time, you will find only one person who creates with a smile and executes in spite of his busy schedule. ‘Sirigannadam Gelge, Sirigannadam Baalge’ – he never forgets to say that when completing his speech in any of the respected podiums he addresses.
Ganesh Rai’s Work – Service without Boundaries

* Turnkey project management for almost all social organisations without linguistic barriers
* Conceptualization, designing, printing and distribution of invitations
* Creation of giant size banners, stage backdrops, stage settings, cut-outs, posters etc.
* Creative journalism writing to various web media flashing timely news around the world
* Publication of high profile visit reports of specially invited artistes and guests from India
* Master of ceremony (MC) par excellence with easy flow of language and literature
* Conceptualization of ‘Certificate of Honour’ for dignitaries, high profile guests, artistes etc.
* Concept, design and execution of various souvenirs to almost all the existing Associations in UAE
* Creating sculptures especially Ganesha idol every year, Narayan Guru idol and many more
* Paintings of deities, brush arts, pencil art, charcoal art and various naturalistic creations
* Assumed and discharged active role as president of Karnataka Sangha Sharjah in 2004
* Conducted first blood donation camp for Karnataka Sangha Sharjah in association with MOH
* Attends all blood donation camps organised by various associations and spreads awareness
by creating banners, role-ups and notices for blood donation camps and providing media news
* Compiled, created and released brochure of all Karnataka-based organisations’ blood donations. Brochure released by M K Lokesh, Ambassador of India
* Record of Indian blood donors presented to governments of India, UAE and Karnataka
* Helping the unfortunate deceased Indians in formalities of sending the mortal remains to India
* Enlightening and spreading the essence of Kannada as a soldier of Karnataka to Kannadigas
* Attained appreciations and accolades from almost all Karnataka based associations, and from Tamil, Malayalam and other Indian associations
* Won accolades from NMC Group where he is serving as creative art director
* Supported people of Bangladesh during the flood and natural disasters and helped those affected by the calamities.

Rai, a BCom graduate of Government College, Madikeri, a fine arts diploma holder of Chamarajendra Academy of Visual Art6s, an art master certificate holder from Kalanikethan School of Arts, Mysore and Mahalasa School of Arts, Mangaluru, is very well supported by his charming wife Manjula Rai, beautiful daughter Aishwarya Rai and handsome son Monish Rai.

 

Below are some of the creations for which he has been applauded:

Rai’s creations in India

Sculpture / Statues: Created Pushpanjali, Elephants, Lion and Carving Designs in the year 1974 at Govt Junior College Madikeri – Courtesy P P Ayyanna, principal, and unveiled by Field Marshal K M Cariappa

Ganapathy Statues: From 1979 onwards he has created more than 350 statues (2ft – 12 ft) for Karnataka Electricity Board Madikeri 1979-1995, Archana Ganapathy Festival, Virajpet, Angala Parameshwari Temple, Virajpet, Sri Rama Mandir Dechoor Madikeri, Hindu Yuva Shakti New Extn, G T Circle, Madikeri.

Paper Pulp Statues: Created paper moulding statues 8ft-12ft of different styles at Madikeri Dasara Festival, Gonikoppal Dasara Festival, viz, Ganapathy, Natya Ganapathy, Durga Parameshwari, Lakshmi, Saraswaty, Cauvery, Subramanya, Veera Hanumaan, Soorya Bhagavan with Seven Horses, Shanmuka Tarakasura vadhe, Vishnu Bhagavan, Narada, Thumbura, Shiva Linga, Lions, Tigers, Swamy Ayyappa, Maha Kali and many more. Also at Kanchi Kamakshi Temple Gouli street Madikeri, Kote Mariyamma Temple new Extn. Madikeri, Dechoor Sri Rama Mandir Madikeri, Kote Ganapathy Temple Madikeri, Kundurumotte Chamundeshwari Temple Madikeri Uma Maheshwari Temple Gonikoppal, Sree Hanuman Garadi, Beltangadi, South Canara, Bhuvaneshwari Statue – Kannada Rajyotsava celebration – Virajpet etc.

Concrete Moulding Statues: Created 9 ft Cauvery Statue both front and back faced double dimension in front of Cauvery Kalakshetra Madikeri, St Michael Statue (9 ft) at St Michael’s Church Madikeri, St Mary Statue at Kedamalloor Church – Virajpet, Nandi Basava – Arameri Kalancheri Mata statues, Raghavendra Swamy Statue at Raghavendra Temple – Mantralaya, AP, Karu Mariyamma / Nandi / Shiva Linga statues at Karu Mariyamma Temple Madikeri, Swamy Vivekananda 12 ft statue at Cauvery Krupa Madikeri and Prabhavali at Ganapathy Temple Virajpet

Wax Statues: Created Ganapathy, Lakshmi, Sarswathy, Cauvery statues at Madikeri.

Oil Colour/Water Colour Paintings: Created Birth Place of Cauvery oil color canvas painting for Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Board, Chennai. Also created Field Marshal K M Cariappa lifesize oil colour painting, Gopala Krishna Gokale lifesize oil colour painting for Govt Junior College Auditorium Madikeri, Coorg landscape paintings in oil colour for Public Library Virajpet, Jayaprakash Narayan oil colour portrait for A B Vajpayee, former Prime Minister of India, Omkareshwara Temple by night oil colour painting for Lalitha Kala Academy Bengaluru and many painting collections in Delhi, USA, Australia, France, Dubai etc.

Besides, he has participated in a number of art exhibitions in several places right from 1977.
Souvenir Cover Page Design and Logos

Created souvenir pages for 54th Kannada Sahitya Sammelana, Madikeri, Madikeri Kodava Samaj Amruta Mahotsava (80 Years), Karnataka Police Centenary Celebration, St Anne’s Church 200 years Celebration, Kodagu Dist Honey & Wax Co-op Society Virajpet.

Created logos for Kodagu District Co-op Central Bank, Kodava Sahitya Academy, Kodagu Zilla Parishat, 54th Kannada Sahitya Sammelana, Taranga Virajpet, St Anne’s High School Virajpet, Many more commercial company

He was responsible for multi-coloured picture, offset printing at Shivakasi which was the first time a multi-coloured picture was published in Kodagu (1980)

Birth Place of River Cauvery – Released by Field Marshal K M Cariappa.
Tala Cauvery – Poster released by A Ramaswamy, former deputy commissioner, Kodagu
Tala Cauvery – Triveni Sangama, Theerta Kundike – Picture cards released by M K Poovaiah
Tala Cauvery – Raja Seat Madikeri, Abbi Falls Madikeri – Greetings cards released by R Gundu Rao, the then chief minister of Karnataka
Cauvery – Amar Chitra Katha (pictorial book) Kannada, English, Kodava language released by M C Nanaiah, the then law minister of Karnataka government.
Aishwaraiswara Kubera Lakshmi, Framing picture – Released by Shekar Shetty of Arab Udupi Group of Hotels UAE


Organisations Served

President –Kodagu Kala Parishat / Kodagu Art Masters Association
Secretary –Bharat Scouts and Guides Taluk Association
Secretary –Kodagu District Bunts Association
Founder Member – ‘Taranga’ Cultural Association Virajpet
Technical Advisor – Field Marshal K M Cariappa Statue Committee, Madikeri
Rai’s activities in United Arab Emirates from 1996 onwards

Served as creative art director at Mirrage Advertising, Winning Communivations, Modern Graphics and now currently serving as creative director in Gulf Public Relations Advertising – Signage Division, NMC Group

Public Service

President – Karnataka Sangaha Sharjah 2004 – 2006
Entertainment Secretary – Karnataka Sangha Dubai 2000-2002
Art Director – UAE Tulu Koota Dubai, Sangama Kalavidaru UAE
Organising Committee Member – UAE Bunts -2000-2001
Blood Donation Camp, 2006 – Karnataka Sangha Sharjah and Gulf Medical College Hospital, Ajman and Ministry of Health, Sharjah


Art works created in UAE: Digital banners created with the concept of Karnataka art and culture and Indian traditional art for Karnataka Sangha Dubai, UAE Tulu Koota, Karnataka Sangha Sharjah, UAE Bunts, Mogaveers UAE, Billawas Dubai & Northers Emirates, Billawas Dubai, Gulf Billawa Sangha, Daiji Rang Mandir, Symphony Music Institute – Ajman/Sharjah, Sangama Kalavidaru UAE, Nama Tuluveru UAE, Vishwakarma Seva Samiti UAE, Devaadiga Sangha UAE.

Logos created in UAE for Karnataka Sangah Sharjah, UAE Tulu Koota (decennial), UAE Bunts, Abu Dhabi Karnataka Sangha, Al Ain Kannada Sangha, Dhvani Pratistana UAE (silver jubilee), Mogaveers UAE, Sangama Kalavidaru UAE, Gulf Kannadiga Forum, Devadiga Sangha UAE, UAE Tamil Sangam, Mangalore Konkans (20 years), Daiijiword website, Kannadadhvani website

Stage settings and gateway creations in UAE with the concept of Karnataka art and culture and Indian traditional art for Karnataka Sangah Dubai – Vidhana Soudha, Bangalore setting in 2001, Mysore Palace setting in 2002 (Karnatakotsava – Vishnuvardhan Kannada cine star), UAE Tulu Koota – Tulunadu setting.


Tableaux, gateways and souvenirs designed

* UAE Bunts Souvenir Cover page design – 1999
* Karnataka Sangha Dubai Souvenir – “Gaana Vaibhava”2001 , “Chandana” 2010
* Karnataka Sangha Sharjah – “Saadhane” – 2006
* Abu Dhabi Karnataka Sangha “Rajata Rashmi” – 2006
* Mangalore Konkans Dubai 2003 – 2010
* Billawas Dubai & Northern Emirates “Suvarna Kedage”- 2007
* UAE Tulukoota – “Sangama” 2000
* St Mary’s Church Dubai – 2005
* St Francis Assisi Jebal Ali – 2007
* St Michael’s Church Sharjah
* SMC Malayalee Catholics
* Tamil Sangam Ras Al Khaimah
* SMC Fr Daniel’s Hon Souvenir
* Dhvani Pratistaana UAE – “Kannada Naadu Nudi Rakshane” Cover
* Karnataka Sangha Sharjah -” Suvarna Karnataka Picture Card”

Besides, he has written and conceptualised a book titled ‘Footprints – A fascinating journey’ to Padmashri Dr B R Shetty.
Awards

Honoured at Govt Junior College Madikeri 1974 at Field Marshal K M Cariappa unveiling ceremony of sculptured art work, Main Gate GJC Madikeri
Karnataka State Best Teacher Award – 1993 by Karnataka Teachers Benefit Fund Bangalore
Karnataka Rajyotsava District Award -1987 by R Gundu Rao, the then chief minister of Karnataka
Gold Medal -1987 at Lakshadeepotsava Dharmasthala by Dr Veerendra Heggade
State Level Honouring – 1993 – at Gokrananatheshwara Temple Mangaluru, by Sri Pejawar Swamiji
Dr Shivaram Karanth Shilpa Kala Rathna Award – 1983 at Karnataka Electricity Board – Madikeri, by K A Somanna, state commissioner, Bharat Scouts – Karnataka
Kala Praveena Award – 1984 Ganapathy Utsava Samiti Gandhi Nagara Virajpet by Sri Shanthamalla Swamiji, Arameri Mata
Kala Kirana Award – 1990 at Angala Parameshwari Temple Virajpet, by M K Poovaiah, president, town muncipal council, Virajpet
Honoured at 100 years Karnataka Police Celebration – 1984 by P S Ramanujam, DIG Mysore
Honoured at Lalitha Kala Academy, Bangalore -1991 by P R Thippeswamy, president, Lalitha Kala Academy Bangalore
Honoured at Madikeri Dasara – Navaratri festival by M C Nanaiah, the then law minister Karnataka
Honourred at Sarva Dharma Sammelana – Arameri Math, by Shiva Kumara Swamiji of Siddaganga Math,Tumakuru and Shantha Malla Swamiji Kalncheri Arameri Math
Honoured at Madikeri Dasara Utasav Temples by Kanchi Kaamkshi Temple, Kote Mariyamma Temple
Honoured by Kodagu Bunts Association 1993 at Rotary Hall Madikeri
Honoured at Vishwa Bunts Convention -1993 at Art Exhibition – Chitra Kala Parishat Bangalore by Dr Shivarama Karanth and Jeevaraj Alva, the then minister of Kannada and culture, Karnataka
Awards in UAE

Was honoured with ‘Mayura Award’ by Karnataka Sangha Sharjah in 2009
Received ‘Prathiba Puraskar Award’ at Vishwa Kannada Cultural Convention in 2009
Honoured at Nama Tuluveru ‘Tuluvere Parba 2012’
Honoured at Kuvempu Utsava 2012 at Abu Dhabi Karnataka Sangha
Honoured at UAE Bunts Satyanarayana Pooja by Dr. B.R. Shetty in 2015
Honoured at UAE Tulukoota Silver Jubilee Celebration in 2015
Honoured at Devadigas Dubai Celebration in 2015
Honoured at Ramakshatriya Sangha in 2015
Honoured by Shri. Veerendra Hegde at Abu Dhabi Karnataka Sanga Rajyotsava Celebration 2015
Other than the above there are innumerable events Ganesh Rai has contributed selflessly to in one or the other way which was noticed and appreciated by the concerned on various occasions.

In my view, Ganesh Rai should be considered as a great asset to the Kannadigas in the UAE and India as well, for his contribution so far. With his sheer enthusiasm and commitment towards Kannada and Tulu language, he is promoting community spirit from so many years in this part of the world. He deserves all accolades and appreciation from the government of Karnataka which should recognize his service towards Kannada/Tulu language, art, folk and literature packed with a unique blend of artistry, social awareness, commitment of service to humanity and honour him soon.

Wishing him more success in his future endeavors.

source: http://www.daijiworld.com / Daijiworld.com / Home> Top Stories / by Shodhan Prasad / Dubai – November 19th, 2015

PES University to launch another satellite

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

Barely a month, after 250 students launched a nano-satellite PISAT, under the mentorship of PES University staff, another group of students have started work on developing another satellite at the university, the PISAT-2.

While the earlier satellite, which entered orbit on September 26 on board the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) operated by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), is a stabilised imaging satellite, PISAT-2 will have an ultraviolet imager that will stare at a single point in space for the lifetime of the mission.

“The goal is to search for variable sources, those that change in brightness. These may include explosive events like supernovae, exotic events such as planets falling into their parent stars or events in our neighbourhood such as nearby asteroids or comets,” a statement from PESU said.

Students will work with the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) on the project which will be supported financially by the university. The Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) has also evinced interest in funding the mission, sources said.

With an outlay of Rs. 2.3 crore, 18 to 24 months have been set for the launch.

“PISAT-1 was developed for Earth observation while PISAT-2 will help us head towards deep space exploration,” said Ajay Kumar, a student working on the project.

Explaining the difference between the two missions in terms of technological expertise, Divya Rao, a mentor for the project said, “PISAT-2 will be more advanced in terms of technology like the control systems onboard as well as the composition of the satellite which will have space grade components on board.”

Chancellor of PES University, M.R. Doreswamy said that the institute was committed to extending support for the design and development phase of the satellite. PISAT-1 in the meantime is functioning as per parameters and is healthy. The team will continue to use the satellite for earth observation in the coming months, a team member said.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Bengaluru / Staff Reporter / November 21st, 2016

Pramila Jayapal has a close city-connect

Leaders, Nri's / Pio's, World Opinion

She is a frequent visitor to the city as her parents stay here

It was a day of celebration for a proud couple in the city as their daughter, who left for the U.S. at the age of 16 to pursue her education, was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives after she won the Washington State Senate seat.

Pramila Jayapal, a candidate endorsed by Senator Bernie Sanders, ran from the seventh Congressional District of Washington State, including Seattle, and won. Pramila, who hails from Kerala, is a frequent visitor to the city as her parents stay here.

Her mother, Maya Jayapal (76), is a well-known writer and counsellor, who is the author ofBangalore:Roots and Beyond

A teacher and columnist, who has a deep love for the city, Ms. Maya Jayapal has authored another book on the city as well.

She and her husband have been in Bengaluru since 1993. Speaking about her daughter’s entry into the U.S. legislature, she said, “We were a little surprised by her decision to contest, but we always had faith in her dedication. When I heard the news of her win, I was over the moon,” the proud mother said.

Speaking about her childhood, her mother said that both Pramila and elder sister Suseela had studied at the Jakarta International school when they were posted there.

“We stayed in Bengaluru for 10 years after my marriage and then moved to Jakarta and then Singapore where we stayed for 24 years before returning here,” Ms. Maya Jayapal, who is a graduate of Mount Carmel College in the city, said.

Suseela, who by training is a lawyer, currently lives in Portland, Oregon, but does not practise law actively. “It was a first for us as no one from our family has been in politics,” she said. “Her favourite place is Karavalli restaurant where she loves the appam and stew,” her mother said.

The family is looking forward to a reunion soon after the initial rush of the elections subsides.

“I did not get to speak to her for long on Wednesday; she had to give her victory speech. She sounded happy. I look forward to catching up with her soon,” she said.

When I heard the news of her win, I was over the moon. Maya Jayapal – Pramila Jayapal’s mother

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Bengaluru / Avinash Bhat / Bengaluru – November 10th, 2016

Mangaluruean wins 2016 International Creative Writing Contest

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Records, All, World Opinion

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

Bengaluru skater helps India win 1st medal at international meet

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