Category Archives: World Opinion

Visitors throng Thailand Trade Fair in Bangalore

Business & Economy, World Opinion

Bangalore : (ANI):

A three-day Thai exhibition to improve bilateral trade ties between Thailand and India concluded here today.

Visitors were enthralled by a wide variety of items in the 25 stalls put in the trade fair, ranging from jewellery, footwear, decorative items to eateries.

“There are lots of fresh juices and natural pulp kind of juices so that you can enhance the flavours. There are very nice cute dolls, the artificial jewellery and the real gem stones, which are very expensive and the accessories suits the needs, whatever the ladies are interested in,” said Anisha, a visitor.

The first two days of the exhibition were reserved for display of the products, and sale of these items was opened on the last day of the event.

The sellers from Thailand felt that it was a great opportunity for their market to be spreading wings in India.

“This is the first time that we have come here to Bangalore, India. Our policy is that we would like to expand in the overseas market and last our company expanded to Indonesian market and the ASEAN market already. And right now this is why we would like to try to Indian market. And I think it is a big opportunity for the Thailand market,” said Tania, the owner of a toy stall.

The two Asian countries have maintained diplomatic relations since India gained Independence from the British rule in 1947.

India and Thailand have worked towards strengthening their trade relations in the past few years. Thailand is aiming at increasing trade with India to 16 billion $ by 2014.

According to media reports, bilateral trade between Thailand and India grew substantially in the last 15 years, reaching 8.6 billion $ in 2012.

India is in a free trade agreement (FTA) with ASEAN countries since 2010 that facilitates trade between the ASEAN countries, including Thailand. (ANI)

source: http://www.newstrackindia.com / News Track India / Home> Economy> by ANI / Bangalore – Saturday, August 31st, 2013

City student’s childhood dream takes flight to reality

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education, Nri's / Pio's, Records, All, World Opinion

AjaiRaghavendraBF14sept2013

Mysore :

At the age of two he was declared a winner at the Johnson & Johnson’s healthy baby contest, at three he was crowned the ‘Baby Prince’ at a competition in city and by the time he turned four, he, unlike other kids, was obsessed with planes. He would sketch pictures of aeroplanes and aircrafts every time he got a chance. It is from that tender age that his mind began developing an interest in the world of aeronautics.

“From a very early age he was inclined towards aeronautics,” says Suma Prakash about her 19-year-old son Ajay Raghavendra who has gone on to turn his dream into reality by pursuing studies in the interesting subject of Aeronautical Science in the USA.

Ajay Raghavendra is a youngster from city, who was always fascinated by the subject of aeronautics. He took to everything that was associated with the subject ever since he was in School. His first step towards it began with him joining the NCC air wing as a student at the city’s St. Joseph’s Central School.

“I remember he was declared the best cadet there,” recalls his mother Suma. “Ajay had further drawn inspiration from two of our acquaintances Captain S. R. Swaroop and Captain Aravind Sharma, whom he would meet occasionally when he was student here in Mysore.” And on watching him show so much interest in the field, parents B. M. Prakash and Suma decided to let him pursue higher studies in what interested him most — Aeronautical Science.

“It was totally Ajay’s idea and we in no way interfered as we neither had any idea about the subject nor did we intend to come in his way,” says Suma. Soon after his PUC at Vijaya Vitthala P U College in Mysore, Ajay flew to Florida in USA to pursue an under graduate programme at the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU), to satiate his craving for all things aviation and aerospace.

What’s more, now in the second year of the four year bachelor’s degree programme that he is pursuing, Ajay went on to prove his potential there too. Deemed the best student for his high scores and excellence in academics in the very first year, he has been declared an honours student, according to Suma, who proudly adds: “The subjects he specialises in are meteorology and mathematics and he is a certified flight instructor as well.”

That apart, Ajay is even multifaceted. He happens to be an excellent painter, a trained tabla artiste and a golfer too.

As happy and proud the parents are about their son, so does Ajay feel about his parents as well. When asked about his achievements, he says, “If I am doing something good and interesting today, it is all because of my parents who have stood by me and supported all my decisions wholeheartedly. They have always guided me to choose what I feel is best. I will do my best to live up to their expectations. I still have a long way to go.”

With such unlimited potential, Ajay could truly be an inspiration to many.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Feature Articles / September 08th, 2013

Edinburgh science fest draws Bangalore students in droves

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Science & Technology, World Opinion

Bangalore:

Hundreds of school and college students on Friday flocked to the Edinburgh International Science Festival at the sprawling Bhartiya city in Bangalore for participating in a host of events, workshops and cultural events.

Edinburgh International Science Festival
Edinburgh International Science Festival

Being held for the first time in the country, the 10-day fest is demonstrating a slew of scientific projects and programmes to infuse spirit of enquiry and build scientific temper in the younger generation.

“It is heartening to know that the organizers have chosen Bangalore to host their first science fest in India, testifying the city’s global reputation as a centre of research and development (R&D) and innovations in science and technology,” Karnataka Agriculture Minister Krishna Byregowda said flagging off the event on a cloudy day.

The Minister, who also studied in the US before returning to state and plunging into politics, exhorted the youth to experience the wonders of science in an interactive mode at the fest.

Noting that such festivals kindle children’s interest in science and nurture love for exploring the domain, Indian Institute of Management (IIM-Bangalore) professor Rajiv Gowda said that the country has a rich legacy of science and mathematics since zero was invented and used for the first time by renowned astronomer Aryabhatta during the fifth century AD.

Festival chief executive Simon Gage said that the event would recreate the excitement of Edinburgh’s world famous science fest in India, which is making advances in science and technology.

“The British Council and the Scottish government played an important role in bringing this fest to India,” Gage said.

About 50,000 visitors, including school children and their parents are expected to visit the fest, which will last till September 8.

Among the events being held at the fest include, the Emergency Room (ER) Surgery, where students will gain first-hand experience in the working of an operating theatre and what it’s like to be a doctor. Similarly, at Splatastic, students will explore properties of different polymers and make colourful gooey snakes, observe a liquid-to-solid chemical reaction, produce designer slime and test it on Splatometer.

In Adventure Robots, participants build and control Lego Mindstorm Robots by learning to use basic computer programming software.

“In Math Masters, students learn tips and tricks for super fast mental math calculations and solve puzzles to develop lateral thinking,” Gage noted.

As an educational charity that encourages people of all ages and backgrounds to discover the wonders of the world around them, the Edinburgh fest demonstrates benefits of science throughout the year in partnership with overseas science festivals and an education programme that tours worldwide.

British Deputy High Commissioner Ian Felton, Discover Networks Asia-Pacific vice-president Rajiv Bakshi and Bhartiya group chairman Snehdeep Aggarwal were also present on the occasion.

Discovery Kids, Horlicks Promind, Art Konnect and mycitykids.com are the partners in the fest.

(Agencies)

Source:  http://www.post.jagran.com/ Post Jagra / Home> Indian States News / by  Agencies / August 31st, 2013

Science is fun, kids learn at Edinburgh fest

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

Iconic international science festival receives warm response in city.

School children try their hands at Bubble Magic, one of the main attractions at the Edinburgh International Science Festival. - A Veeramani / DNA
School children try their hands at Bubble Magic, one of the main attractions at the Edinburgh International Science Festival. – A Veeramani / DNA

“Now I am sure I want to become a doctor and perform surgeries,” burst out an excited Pushpak R.

What made him decide on his future career was a visit to the Evergreen Room, a dummy operation theatre at the first ever Indian edition of the iconic Edinburgh International Science Festival at the Bhartiya City, near Hebbal here on Friday.

The venue of the 10-day science event teemed with young, would-be scientists accompanied by parents and teachers. The fest was inaugurated by Karnataka minister for agriculture Krishna Byre Gowda in the presence of EISF, Dr Simon Gage and British deputy high commissioner to India, Ian Felton. The fest kicked off with 17 exciting events.

On the first day there were over 15 workshops which were interactive, apart from live shows and exhibits which had a bit for every age group, such as aero modelling, chemistry experiments, evergreen room (dummy operation theatre), bubble magic workshop, splatastic, science circus, international photo exhibition, forensic science experiments, illusion room, smoke bonanza, lego robosports etc.
AT the dummy operation theatre, students helped to treat a deep leg wound and perform key hole surgery using a real surgical equipment. They also gained experience with a miner surgical procedure to remove a cyst and learn how and why blood samples are taken.

During Splatastic, students explored the properties of different polymers, making some of their own colourful snakes, observe liquid to solid chemical reaction, produce their own designer slime and test the slime on the splatometer. Other crowd pullers were ‘Adventure Robots’, wherein participants built lego robots, using basic computer programming software, and Math Masters, which saw students learn tips and tricks for super fast mental math circulations and solve puzzles to develop lateral thinking.

But easily the show stopper was Bubble Magic, hosted by Discovery India. Children indulged in creating interesting shapes out of bubbles ranging from the tiniest of them to unbelievably huge ones.

Children had great fun trying to catch smoke-filled bubbles in their palms, to standing inside a giant bubble, and even turning a ‘round bubble square’.

source: http://www.dnaindia.com / DNA / Home> Bangalore> Report / by DNA Correspondent / Place:Bangalore, Agency:DNA / Saturday – August 31st, 2013

Jubilant Biosys announces filing of Investigational New Drug

Business & Economy, Science & Technology, World Opinion

Mumbai : 

Jubilant Biosys , a Bengaluru-based subsidiary of Jubilant Life Sciences, today announced the USFDA acceptance of The Investigational New Drug (IND) filing for a novel molecule targeting prostate cancer.

This molecule will now progress towards the next phase of development and is anticipated to go into clinical trials by late 2013, a company statement said here.

(Jubilant Biosys, a Bengaluru-based…)
(Jubilant Biosys, a Bengaluru-based…)

“We are elated with this successful outcome, which is the result of excellent collaboration between the scientists at Endo and Jubilant Biosys. Being at the forefront of pharmaceutical, life sciences and healthcare innovation, Jubilant pursues its goal to enable affordable healthcare to patients worldwide,” President, Global Drug Discovery Services, Jubilant Life Sciences  SubirKumar Basak said.

The multi-target oncology collaboration between Jubilant and Endo began four years ago, and is focused on developing best-in-class, differentiated therapies that address the unmet needs of cancer patients worldwide. The collaboration has delivered on multiple milestones across the discovery continuum.

source: http://www.articles.economictimes.timesofindia.com / The Economic Times / Home> Pharmaceuticals> Collections> Cancer Patients / by PTI / August 07th, 2013

Bangalore to host world’s biggest science festival

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

The widely celebrated Edinburgh International Science Festival will be on from August 30 to September 8 at Bhartiya City.

You may not be a surgeon, or a perfumer, or even a scientist; but here’s a chance to play one and have a gala time while you are at it. Come August 30, and the world’s largest science festival—Edinburgh International Science Festival (EISF)—will be in town.

For the first time, this well-known science event will be held India in the form of EISF-India. Bangalore is hosting the EISF-India at Bhartiya City near Hebbal and the event will go on till September 8.

According to the website www.sciencefestival.co.uk, which has details on the ESIF-India, the crowd pullers at the show are expected to be the four engaging workshops—ER (Evergreen Room) Surgery, Splat-tastic, Pongy Potions and World of Bubbles—which promise to keep people of all ages, especially children, engrossed with almost real-life situations in the science and medical world.

In the ER Surgery, visitors can actually go through all the steps of performing an emergency surgery in a simulated conditions on a ‘patient’ and actual surgeons will provide details on how to go about it.

Splat-tastic will lure you to experiments involving the generation of slimes and learn about polymers, and also test the viscosity of your slimy creations on a ‘splat-o-meter’; while Pongy Potions will transform you into a chemist who can actually produce, say, perfumes on the go using a fair amount of chemistry.

Children may get a real kick out of Bubble Magic, which involves creating various interesting shapes out of bubbles ranging from the tiniest of them to unbelievably huge ones.

Over the past 25 years, the festival has been making science fun, exciting and engaging for young minds, EISF and Bhartiya City officials said.

They have planned an array of interactive workshops, live shows and exhibits, besides a science circus, an international nature photo exhibition, forensic science experiments, illusion room, smoke bonanza and lego robosports, which will keep people belonging to all age groups enthralled.

Eight of EISF’s specially trained science communicators will travel to Bangalore to deliver the workshops and train the local teams ahead of the event.

EISF–India is being presented jointly with Bhartiya City, in association with Art Konnect and MyCity4Kids, and is being supported by the Scottish Government’s Edinburgh Festivals Expo Fund.

According to EISF, the Bangalore event could be a starting point to create and develop more science festivals across the country over the next five years.

Simon Gage, director and CEO, EISF, said: “This festival is a bold first step in our plans to present more work in India and to bring our science festival to a nation that is currently making incredible advances in science and technology.”

Snehdeep Aggarwal, founder-chairman, Bhartiya City, said: “It (EISF’s foray into India) will engage our youth and spark their curiosity in science and technology.”

source: http://www.dnaindia.com / DNA / Home> Bangalore> Report / by DNA Correspondent / Place: Bangalore, Agency: DNA / Friday, August 09th, 2013

Jubilant Biosys’ prostate cancer drug

Records, All, Science & Technology, World Opinion

New Delhi :

Jubilant Biosys Ltd, a Bangalore-based subsidiary of Jubilant Life Sciences Ltd, said the USFDA had accepted its IND (Investigational New Drug) filing for a ‘novel’ molecule targeting prostate cancer with Endo Pharmaceuticals of the US.

This molecule would now progress toward the next phase of development and is anticipated to go into clinical trials by late 2013, a company release said.

Subir Kumar Basak, President, Global Drug Discovery Services, Jubilant Life Sciences, said the “successful outcome” was the result of collaboration between the scientists at Endo (a US-based specialty healthcare company) and Jubilant Biosys.

source: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com / Business Line / Home> Companies / by The Hindu Bureau / New Delhi – August 07th, 2013

Manipal Health acquires hospital in Malaysia

Business & Economy, Science & Technology, World Opinion

Acquisition includes new 200-bed tertiary care hospital under construction in nearby location

Manipal Health Enterprises, the healthcare arm of the Manipal Education and Medical Group, has acquired a 70-bed hospital in Klang, Selangor District of Malaysia. This acquisition by Manipal Hospitals also includes a new 200 bed tertiary care hospital which is presently under construction in a nearby location, which will be commissioned by last quarter of the Financial Year 2014-15, said a company statement.  The hospital, was set up by Dr Poraviappan Arunasalam, an obstetrics and gynaecology  consultant in Klang about 14 years ago.

According to a statement, the hospital will focus on a combination of wellness, prevention and curative care levels – for both the domestic and an emerging overseas patient traffic into Malaysia from neighboring countries.

Swaminathan Dandapani — Executive Chairman of Manipal Health Enterprises, said,  “This acquisition is a part of the company’s strategy to expand its footprint in India and in countries of West Asia, Africa and Asia Pacific. In the near term, significant capacities will be created to add on to the present group capacity of 15 hospitals and 5,000 beds.

The Manipal group has already two campuses in Malaysia — a Medical school at Melaka since 2001 and a newly formed (in 2012) Malaysia International University at Nilai, Kuala Lumpur.

source: http://www.business-standard.com / Business Standard / Home> Companies> News / by BS Reporter / Mumbai – August 08th, 2013

Indo-Russian chemists working to find cure for Cancer

Education, Science & Technology, World Opinion
Prof. K.S. Rangappa seen chatting with a group of researchers in Moscow.
Prof. K.S. Rangappa seen chatting with a group of researchers in Moscow.

by K.M. Chengappa

Cancer is no more considered a deadly disease. It is curable if traced in its early stages, says Prof. K.S. Rangappa, Vice-Chancellor, University of Mysore.

In a tete-a-tete with Star of Mysore, Prof. Rangappa, who had been to Russia as a visiting professor, said that he, along with Prof. Alexey of the N.D. Zelenski Institute of Organic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, are jointly conducting a research in cancer biology in which they have created new molecules that can fight the disease.

Prof. Rangappa, who had been in Moscow from July 7 to 15, said that the research is being conducted in joint collaboration of the Indian National Science Academy and Russian Academy of Sciences.

Discussions with experts in the field were held for three days following which lectures were held in which several research scholars participated, said Prof. Rangappa, adding that he had also given a lecture at the Moscow State University following an invitation.

Prof. Rangappa said that they have applied for funding for the research project from India and Russia governments collaterally.

Prof. Alexey will soon be visiting Mysore as part of the project, he said.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Feature Articles / August 05th, 2013

Muay Thai is this city lad’s passion

Records, All, Sports, World Opinion

 

A snapshot of a video of Mohammed Zulkharnain Beig who represented India arriving to participate in the Muay Thai World Championship in Thailand recently.
A snapshot of a video of Mohammed Zulkharnain Beig who represented India arriving to participate in the Muay Thai World Championship in Thailand recently.

Mysore :

Mohammed Zulkha- rnain Beig is a 20-year-old Muay Thai fighter from city with a Pro-Amateur Muay Thai World Championship bronze medal to his credit. He fights at the Academy of Martial Science in Krishnamurthypuram and is being trained by Kru. M.N. Vikram.

He has been at the Academy of Martial Science since around three years and has been involved with kickboxing since around 14 years of age.

A resident of Bannimantap in city, Zulkharnain studied upto 7th standard at St. Matthias School in Bannimantap and later pursued his studies at Qatar and completed his education (equivalent to PU) there. He wants to do a course in Hotel Management.

Eldest son of Ayub Beig, a Mechanical Engineer working at Doha, and Bibi Sara, residents of Bannimantap, Zulkarnain has a younger brother Zafeen Beig who is studying seventh standard at St. Matthias School in city.

Star of Mysore caught up with young Zulkharnain who has huge ambitions in the sport of Muay Thai. Excerpts:

 

SOM: How did you initially get into Muay Thai martial art?

Zulkharnain: I started learning Muay Thai for fitness, self-defence and moreover I wanted to be a boxer and felt happy when I learnt that Mysore had a Thai kick-boxing training centre in which I soon got enrolled.

SOM: What do your family and friends think of the sport which you have chosen to pursue?

Zulkharnain: My friends think it is cool, quite a few of my friends want to join as well. My family are very supportive and encourage me.

SOM: You train at Academy of Martial Science. What’s it like training there?

Zulkharnain: Training at Academy of Martial Science is good. My coach Vikram trains me for three days a week and I follow it up for three hours in the morning and three hours in the evening on the remaining days. I am happy to be part of the Academy and I’ve learnt so much there.

SOM: You had a very successful year in Muay Thai. What can we expect from you in 2014?

Zulkharnain: In 2013, I won the fight against France in the world championships and achieved a bronze medal. I was one among 650 fighters from 79 countries to achieve this feat. I will be competing in the Amateur and Pro-Amateur World Championships to be held in the year 2014 to bag the title.

SOM: Why do you fight and what motivates you?

Zulkharnain: I fight because I love it. I train so hard that if I could fight every weekend I would, and it makes me happy. I love winning and I learn when I lose. My trainer Vikram and my family motivate me to fight.

SOM: What was the reaction of your friends and family members when you told them that you were selected to participate in the World Championship?

Zulkharnain: Everyone among my friends, family and relatives were shocked when I told them about the selection and they were in for a shock again when I told them that I won the bronze medal at the championship. I am proud to represent my Mysore, my club and my country India.

SOM: What is Muay Thai to you and what has it taught you?

Zulkharnain: To me Muay Thai is a weapon for self-defence and a sport. It has taught me confidence, patience, hard work and very importantly, discipline in life.

SOM: Your message to youngsters who want to take up this as a sport or for self-defence.

Zulkharnain: My message to youngsters, especially girls is, get trained in Muay Thai as it helps in many ways especially for self-defence, good health and to lead a disciplined life.

Speaking on trainers, Zulkharnain’s coach Vikram said that a trainer first needs to be trained properly and correctly to inculcate both physical and mental discipline among their students.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Feature Articles / by  S. Kenneth Shishir / July 25th, 2013