Category Archives: World Opinion

City artist Ganjifa Raghupathi Bhatta’s paintings to be unveiled at Brussels Museum on May 17

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, World Opinion

Mysore

City artist Ganjifa Raghupathi Bhatta’s series of commissioned miniature paintings featuring avatars and episodes from the Ramayana and Mahabharata will be unveiled at an exhibition called “Enduring Epics” on May 17 at the Museum of Sacred Art (MOSA) in the ancient 11th Century Chateau de Petite Somme, in the canton of Septon – Durbuy near Brussels in Belgium. This is yet another honour to a Mysorean.

It may be recalled, a few months ago some of the works of scriptural artist G.L.N. Simha had been acquired and given a special display at MOSA.

The expo of Raghupathi Bhatta’s paintings will be inaugurated by Manjeet Singh Puri, Ambassador of India to the European Union, Belgium and Luxembourg.

The Indian Embassy has played a proactive role in support of initiatives showcasing Indian artists. In 2012, the Indian Embassy had also been in the forefront of the opening of the second gallery at the Museum of Sacred Art.

Legendary Flautist Hariprasad Chaurasia with Subrata De on the Sitar will be performing at the inauguration of the expo.

Raghupathi Bhatta’s exhibition follows the inauguration of a new monument what will house three large-size statues of Vishnu, Varahadeva and Narasimha, according to the Founder-Director of MOSA, Martin Gurvich.

According to R.G. Singh, Secretary, Ramsons Kala Pratishtana, Mysore, it was a chance ‘sighting’ by Martin Gurvich of the works of G.L.N. Simha at an exhibition in Mysore that led him to the works of Ganjifa Raghupathi Bhatta.

Martin Gurvich was introduced to Mysore School or Style of Paintings by R.G. Singh, who also arranged for a series of meetings with artists like K. Shreehari, J.S. Sridhar Rao, Ganjifa Raghupathi Bhatta, B.P. Ramakrishna, Puttaraju in Mysore and Narasimhalu, Ramesh Gorjala and Jonalagada Niranjan of Sri-Kalahasthi.

The works of Mysore artists along with other art works sourced from different parts of India form the basis of ‘Living Traditions’ theme of MOSA, says Martin Gurvich. Currently there are around 300 works of sacred art in MOSA and it is expected that around 1000 works of arts comprising various genres and all relating to sacred art will be acquired and housed in MOSA.

In addition to Ganjifa Raghupathi Bhatta’s commissioned works being unveiled, the works of two other artists, Shobha Broota whose theme is ‘Looking Within’ and Poosapathi Parameshwar Raju whose theme is ‘Timeless art’ will also be exhibited, according to R.G. Singh.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / May 15th, 2014

Dr. S.N. Mothi to address at Harvard School

Amazing Feats, Inspiration/ Positive News and Features, Records, All, Science & Technology, World Opinion

DrMothiBF18may2014

Mysore :

Dr. S.N. Mothi, Founder-Trustee and Chairman of Asha Kirana Hospital, Mysore, has been invited by the Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School in US, to deliver a talk on the topic “Mental Health Morbidities in HIV/AIDS – The scope for interventions in resource limited settings.”

During his visit, he will also address at the Department of Infectious diseases, Boston University School of Medicine, on the topic of “Antiretroviral Therapy in Children and Adolescents — Indian scenario”.

Dr. Mothi will be away in the US from May 13 to May 25.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / Mysore  12th, 2014

Connexios, India’s first drug-discovery product startup signs first out-licensing deal; marks a milestone

Records, All, Science & Technology, World Opinion

Bangalore :

Bangalore-based Connexios, India’s first drug-discovery product startup, has signed its first out-licensing deal, marking a milestone for itself as well as for the Indian pharma industry. For Connexios, this sale of a set of its anti-diabetes molecules to German pharma major Boehringer Ingelheim is the first out-licensing deal by an Indian life-sciences company that is akin to a startup and whose only business is new drug discovery.  So far, only large Indian pharma companies, like Dr Reddy’s and Glenmark, have struck out-licensing deals.

Connexios declined to disclose the value of the transaction. But as per pharma industry benchmarks, deals of this nature generally involve upfront payments of $5 million to $10 million (Rs 30-60 crore) and milestone payments as the drug advances into clinical trials. “The deal validates our science and provides enough money to get other drug candidates to clinical trials,” says Connexios CEO Suri Venkatachalam.

The payments from Boehringer will be Connexios’ first significant revenues, after 10 years of operations. So far, all the company’s funding of Rs 140 crore has come from Nadathur Holdings, the private investment firm of NS Raghavan, one of the seven founders of Indian IT major Infosys — the largest by an individual investor in an Indian drug-discovery company.

Overall licensing deals are now a trickle in India, and Glenmark is the only company that has made out-licensing drug molecules a regular feature. “This deal is a morale booster for biotech startups funded recently,” says Nitin Deshmukh, CEO, Kotak Private Equity.

With about 180 people, Connexios has one of the largest teams in the world focussing on diabetes. The deal is important for it in many respects. First, it validates its science. Second, it validates its ideas about pipelines and what could make sense in developing drugs for diabetes. Third, it validates its ability to do deals, a very important aspect of business for a small or big company. “It is a good starting point for us to do drug discovery,” says Sriram Nadathur, director at  Nadathur Holdings. Connexios has now begun a journey that could take it to many different places depending on its ability and interest.

source: http://www.economictimes.indiatimes.com / The Economic Times /  ET Home> Industry> Healthcare-Biotech> Pharmaceuticals / by Hari Pulakkat, ET Bureau / May 06th, 2014

Asteroid named after Bangalorean

Records, All, Science & Technology, World Opinion

 

Amar A Sharma gazing through a telescope atthe Nikaya observatory near Hosur
Amar A Sharma gazing through a telescope atthe Nikaya observatory near Hosur
by:  S Shyam Prasad & Niranjan Kaggere
Although he has never met Amar A Sharma, David H Levy has named asteroid 380607, he first spied in 2004 after the city-based amateur astronomer.
Bangalorean Amar A Sharma joined a galaxy of Greek gods, Roman heroes and even Dr Spock, the Vulcan in Star Trek, by having an asteroid named after him. David H Levy, the world’s elite US astronomer, has named an asteroid he discovered after Amar, making him the first Indian non-scientist amateur astronomer to receive the honour.
Surprisingly, Levy and Sharma, a resident of Kumaraswamy Layout, have never met in person and only interacted online over the last several years. Levy, discovered asteroid 380607 over a course of 10 years in his Arizona observatory. The International Astronomical Union has officially named the asteroid, ‘380607 Sharma’ last week, bringing the 29-year-old Amar and Bangalore’s name on the top of India’s amateur astronomy list.Sharma says it is “more than a dream come true”. Speaking to Bangalore Mirror, Sharma said, “Levy is among the elite amateur astronomers in the world. He must really like me for naming it after me. He must have met so many eminent people in the field, but he decided to name it after me. Many people aspire for such an honour. You are always hoping that someday someone will recognise your work. He could have named it after anyone. But that he has chosen me, gives me a special feeling.”

Sharma moved to Bangalore with his parents in 1997 and studied high school in AV Education in JP Nagar before completing his BSc in National College. His interest in astronomy began after a visit to Bannerghatta National Park in 2000. “I looked up and saw millions of stars and my love with astronomy began. This kindled my curiosity. The first chapter in my X syllabus was named ‘Universe.’ This made me turn my head to the sky. In 2002 I visited the Nehru Planetarium and met members of the amateur astronomers club ABAA.”

Amar went on to co-found the Bangalore Astronomical Society in 2006. He is now pursuing his activities independently while working at the Yoga Nikaya Observatory off Hosur. He was also the first sole discoverer of a celestial object in modern times from India. “It was an accidental discovery,” says Sharma about the variable star, Mira, he discovered in June 2012 using a CCD camera. “People in India do not usually get the chance to discover things by themselves.”

Not Seen The Asteroid

There are uncertainties about the size of 380607 Sharma. “It needs a special telescope to see this asteroid,” Sharma said. “A medium-sized telescope with a CCD camera can capture it. With the equipment I have or even from Nikaya Observatory, there is very little chance of me seeing it. It can be seen with professional telescope setups in India, but who will spare precious time for me? I will hopefully find someone willing to take a photograph of the asteroid for me. It is very difficult.” Amar’s biggest dream is to become the first Indian to discover a comet.

Most Fascinating

Amar says that astronomy is the most fascinating, but the most ignored subject in India. “I have dedicated my life to astronomy. For many it is a hobby, for me it is a job to spread the knowledge of astronomy to people. For the last 12 years, it has been the burning passion inside me and grows each day.”

The 29-year-old is currently writing a book which he says will be an in-depth narration of astronomy for all age groups. “Astronomy is my mission in life. I have seen most things out there. The book will tell everything I have learnt and hope it is an inspiration for everyone.”

David Levy had discovered an asteroid, between Mars and Jupiter, in 2004. The same asteroid has been found yet again on the same orbit recently. It is mandatory for astronomers to name their discoveries in the Solar System by registering with the International Astronomical Union (IAU) in the US. Astronomers are supposed to provide documentary evidence of details of their telescope, camera, time and place besides explaining about the latitude and longitude of the observatory. The IAU committee will verify the documents and discovery before making it legal and consider for publication. While it is common for astronomers to name their discoveries after them, Levy has chosen to name it after Amar Sharma as he was impressed by the Bangalore lad’s interest in astronomy. The IAU committee has ratified the naming of asteroid last week.

WHAT IS AN ASTEROID?

planets between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter orbiting around the Sun. Their dimensions range from a few centimeters to several kilometres. There are millions of asteroids in the asteroid belt, many of them yet to be identified.

Asteroids are formed of left over rock and other material mass during the formation of Solar System. These objects were too small to make a planet and most of them are made of rock, carbon and other metals. Depending on their surface composition, asteroids have been classified in to several types. While it is common in the field of astronomy to name a comet after its discoverer, asteroids can be named after anybody by their discoverers.

Newly discovered asteroids are generally given a provisional name (largely in numbers) denoting the year of discovery. An alpha- umeric code suggesting the half-month of discovery and the sequence within the halfmonth will also be used to identify the asteroid. Once the orbit of the asteroid is confirmed, it is given a number and later could also be given a name suggested by their discoverer. 

source: http://www.bangaloremirror.com / Bangalore Mirror / Home> Bangalore> Cover Story / by Bangalore Mirror Bureau / May 01st, 2014

Wipro awards USD 1.19 mln to promote science in US

Business & Economy, Science & Technology, World Opinion

Wipro, India’s major IT company, has awarded a grant of USD 1.19 million to promote science and teacher education leadership in the US.

According to a statement, Amanda Gunning and Meghan Marrero, of Mercy College School of Education, have been awarded the USD 1.19 million grant to lead the Greater New York Wipro Science Education Fellowship (SEF).

Dr. Arthur Eisenkraft of the University of Massachusetts originally earned the funding to run the SEF in a one-year programme with Boston teachers.

It has now grown to a two-year programme in three states.

The SEF supports three cohorts of 20 science teacher fellows from five local districts during a two-year fellowship that focuses on leadership in science education.

In a statement, Mercy College said the goal is to keep good teachers in the classroom and develop their leadership skills as opposed to putting them in administrative roles.

Major tenets of the professional development include vertical and horizontal articulation across districts and lesson observation and study.

In year two, each fellow will lead professional development in their own district and work on a district-wide initiative of his or her choosing.

This programme has met success in its implementation thus far in Massachusetts and New Jersey, it said.

“The Wipro SEF is an amazing opportunity for Mercy College to support our local districts and improve science teaching and learning from within,” Marrero said.

source: http://www.business-standard.com / Business Standard / Home> PTI Stories> National> News / Press Trust of India / Washington – April 30th, 2014

Mangala remembers Scarlett ‘Kempamma’

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links, Pre-Independence, World Opinion

 

T. Scarlett Epstein, also known as 'Kempamma'.
T. Scarlett Epstein, also known as ‘Kempamma’.

The people of Mangala, a village in Mandya district, chose to re-christen T. Scarlett Epstein “Kempamma” when she came to their village in the ’50s. They were unaware that the first name of the young woman roughly translated to the Kannada variant they had picked and that her study on their village was to bring her international renown.

Dr. Epstein (OBE), who passed away in U.K. at 91 on April 27, had a lasting connection with Mangala and Kalenahalli where she stayed in the ’50s during the course of her Ph.D on the socio-economy of Mysore villages, with renowned sociologist late M.N. Srinivas as her guide. She kept in touch with Mangala all her life, her last visit being in 2010. The villagers held a condolence meeting when they heard of her death.

From AustriaDr. Epstein’s journey to academia was nothing short of an adventure. The social anthropologist and economist was a Jewish refugee from Vienna who left Austria in 1938, as a high school girl, after Germany annexed it during World War II. She eventually made her home in the UK, working as a labourer in a clothes factory as she studied, slowly gaining a foothold in academia, she reveals in her autobiography, Swimming Upstream. Her visit to Mangala was the first leg of her long and illustrious journey.

Manjamma, an elderly resident of Mangala, recalls Dr. Epstein as someone who was always interested in studying the routine activities of rural women. “She learnt to put rangoli and got used to our ragi mudde and naati chicken curry,” she says.

Though she later worked in others parts of the globe and published over 15 academic works, her link to Mangala was special, recalls T. Thimme Gowda, a former bureaucrat who hails from Mangala and worked with Dr. Epstein on her field studies. “I was a boy of seven when she first visited our village,” he says.

In KannadaHer Ph.D work, as well as two of her important works rooted in Karnataka — ‘South India Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow’ and ‘Village Voices’ — have been translated into Kannada and brought out by the University of Agricultural Sciences, says Mr. Gowda.

“When she visited the village in 2010, she was worried about the large-scale migration because of agrarian distress and wanted to write about it and also do something to prevent it,” recalls Mr. Gowda.

source:http//www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Bangalore / by Bageshree S. and M.T. ShivaKumar / Bangalore – Mandya, April 29th, 2014

Bangalore boys come first in aero competition

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education, Inspiration/ Positive News and Features, Records, All, Science & Technology, World Opinion

Bangalore :

Bangalore, the aviation capital of India, has often had its young opting for careers in aerospace, many displaying their skills at various forums. Two teams from Bangalore only reaffirmed this fact by bagging the first two places at the recently concluded (April 12) Boeing India-IIT national-level aeromodelling competition.

The four Bangalore boys — three from ASC College of Engineering, and one from BMS — competed against 560 participants to clench the contest.

At one point, Tabrez Nadvi Anser, Pavan MJ, and Vignesh Arul of ASC College, who bagged the first place, stared at a missed opportunity. “Selection for the finals was to happen at four zones, IIT Madras (South), IIT Kharagpur (East), IIT Bombay (West), and IIT Kanpur (North). Unfortunately, we couldn’t enter the zonal-level competition at IIT Chennai, as it coincided with our semester exams. We finally got permission to participate from the East zone, and our college helped us with the funding,” Tabrez told TOI.

In the zonal round, Pavan said, the team focused on design and building of the remote control (RC) aircraft, keeping in mind the ability to glide. “We did not buy a ready-made aircraft,” Tabrez added.

Having qualified for the finals with 12 other teams from various zones, the four shifted their focus to flying and acrobatic flying, as per the problem statement given by the organizers. They built a depron-made 3D RC aircraft which performed all manoeuvres as planned. “Eventually, we won because of our strategy which was duly acknowledged by the jury,” Tabrez said.

While team ASC was busy clearing hurdles at the zonal levels, Mohammed Shadman Alam was steering a solo show. “While other teams had at least two participants, with the upper limit set at four per team, Alam did everything alone,” said one of the organizers.

At the end, the battle was between the two Bangalore teams, and Alam came second. “Going alone has its perks. I could conceive and design what I wanted, and also perform manoeuvres I liked. Also, if something were to go wrong, the blame would be all mine, and so was it with the credit,” he said.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Bangalore / by Chethan Kumar, TNN / April 30th, 2014

University of Agricultural Sciences to tie up with Australian centre for crop development

Education, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature, Science & Technology, World Opinion

Hubli :

The University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad, has sent a proposal to the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR), Canberra, Australia, seeking collaboration in natural resources management, crop improvement and agriculture business development.

The proposal was submitted to Dr Ejaz Qureshi, the research programme manager of the Agricultural Development Programme for South Asia and the Pacific (ACIAR). The varsity is in the process of signing an MoU with the government of Monitoba.

If it happens then the varsity can have the expertise in food technology to provide exposure in the food processing technology. It is also decided to create experiential learning opportunities for students, establishing pilot plants for food technology centre and academic exchange programme for scientists.

The initiation was taken up during the visit of Dr Robin Young, project coordinator of Food Development Centre, Government of Monitoba, Canada in the month of February, 2014, said Dr Rajendra Potdar, Head, Project Planning & Monitoring Cell, UAS.: The University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad, has sent a proposal to the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR), Canberra, Australia, seeking collaboration in natural resources management, crop improvement and agriculture business development.

The proposal was submitted to Dr Ejaz Qureshi, the research programme manager of the Agricultural Development Programme for South Asia and the Pacific (ACIAR). The varsity is in the process of signing an MoU with the government of Monitoba.

If it happens then the varsity can have the expertise in food technology to provide exposure in the food processing technology. It is also decided to create experiential learning opportunities for students, establishing pilot plants for food technology centre and academic exchange programme for scientists.

The initiation was taken up during the visit of Dr Robin Young, project co-ordinator of Food Development Centre, Government of Monitoba, Canada in the month of February, 2014, said Dr Rajendra Potdar, Head, Project Planning & Monitoring Cell, UAS.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Hubli / by Srinivas Reddy, TNN / April 23rd, 2014

Prof. Indira felicitated on retirement

Education, Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Records, All, World Opinion

ProfIndiraBF06may2014

Mysore :

“The Post Graduate Department in Sociology at Manasagangotri has a long history extending over 6 decades and it is left to the students and the teaching faculty to carry forward the legacy of the department,” opined Prof. R. Indira, who is retiring from service today.

She was speaking at the function organised by the Sociology Department to felicitate her on attaining superannuation, at the department premises in Mansagangotri yesterday.

Citing the example of Dr. T. Scarlett Epstein, a women social anthropologist from England who had conducted studies in Mandya District in the 1950’s on ‘Rural Transformation in South India,’ Prof. Indira called upon the sociology students to read Scarlett’s works such as ‘Economic development and social change in South India,’ ‘Capitalism, Primitive and Modern’ and ‘Village Voices.’

Scarlett Epstein, popularly known as Mangala Kempamma, left an indelible footprint on Mangala and its surrounding village in Mandya, Prof. Indira said and added that Epstein’s books have been included in the curriculum of many Indian Universities.

Recalling her association with the University in various capacities which extended over four decades, Prof. Indira said she was delighted with the warmth in the University campus.

She also expressed thanks to everyone for extending their co-operation during her long association with the University.

Associate Professor Dr. S. Yashoda, Sociology Department students and others were present on the occasion.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General New / April 30th, 2014

Bangalore teen wins Brain Bee, to compete in international finale

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

Bangalore :

Gayathri Muthukumar (17) stood in front of five doctors who were enacting a disease each. She looked at them carefully, listened to their complaints and diagnosed their conditions – Parkinsons, Spinocerebellar ataxia, Huntington’s disease (HD), major depression and amnesia. The Bangalore girl emerged the winner at the 7th Indian National Brain Bee (INBB) finale held on Sunday at SevenHills Hospital in Mumbai.

Brain Bee is a quiz competition on neurosciences for students who have exceptional credentials in Biology and are keen on pursuing careers in healthcare. Apart from testing students’ knowledge on the human brain, the competition engages them in learning about neuroscience. Students have to answer a quiz, write a test and identify specimens shown to them. The doctor-patient stimulation, where doctors enact a disease and the student has to make a diagnosis, makes for the most interesting bit. Participants are handed out preparation material before the quiz.

Gayathri, a Class 11 student at National Public School, Indiranagar, is eager to take up a career in Biology. “I have a strong foundation in Science. I visited a few museums during my childhood, which kindled my curiosity in the subject. Since then, there has been no looking back,” beamed the teenager. The daughter of an engineer and a homemaker, Gayathri had been preparing for the quiz for a month. “The practical sessions were very interesting. They actually tested our application skills,” she said.

A learner of Carnatic music and Bharatnatyam, Gayathri says she takes out time for all the activities she loves. Gayathri will participate in the 16th International Brain Bee finals, scheduled from August 7 to 10, 2014, along with the 122nd American Psychology Association Convention, in Washington DC.

Dr Harleen Luther, senior consultant, brain, spine and peripheral nerve surgery, dept. of neurosurgery, SevenHills Hospital, said, “The purpose of INBB is to motivate young students to learn about the brain and inspire them to opt for careers in basic and clinical neurosciences. Witnessing this talent at such a young age in India is a satisfying experience.”

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Bangalore / TNN / April 24th, 2014