Chayaa nanjappa National Best Entrepreneur Award From the Confederation of Women Entrepreneurs of India was presented toher in Hyderabad on Monday. |EPS
Bangalore :
From Srirangapatna to Europe, it has been a long and difficult journey for 42-year-old Chayaa Nanjappa. But she has battled the odds and today heads a rural enterprise which produces high-quality honey that sweetens many a home even in Europe and the United States.
As a reward for her hard work, Chayaa was on Monday awarded this year’s ‘National Best Entrepreneur Award’ in food processing by the Confederation of Women Entrepreneurs of India.
Her path to success has not been a smooth one; she had to overcome many an adversity, physical abuse and traumatic relationships. But now, this gentle, self-made woman provides a livelihood for not only many illiterates of Mysore and Mandya districts, but also some tribals across the state. She is also the largest buyer of forest honey from Malayalis and tribes like Siddis and Jenu Kurubas.
She began her journey by setting up a small unit at Bommanahalli with the help of a `10-lakh loan. She then shifted operations to Nanjangud and later, to Srirangapatna.
Today her enterprise Nectar Fresh, which produces monofloral honey, has a capacity of 200 tonnes and is worth `6 crore. It is one of the largest bulk suppliers and packers of honey in the country and falls in the top five bulk exporters of raw as well as processed honey. Nectar Fresh also has the ISO 22000:2005 certification.
Chayaa told Express, “With no work experience or exposure, I started a rural industry in 2007 that could be identified with my hometown, Coorg. After doing a basic course from Central Bee Research and Training Institute (CBRTI), I jumped into the industry completely, sourcing honey from tribes and farmers.” She has 20 mobile apiary vans across the country.
Going International
To earn her brand a significant international presence, she decided to market it as a basket of products, including jams and sauces. The result: it found a place in the European market. “I added jams and sauces to my basket by purchasing pulp from sick units run by women in places like Bangalore and Mangalore, and sourcing fruits like papaya and tomato directly from farmers,” she said.
With exports to Germany and France, Nectar Fresh has broken the monopoly of global companies like Bereenberg, Darbo and Bonne Maman. “We met the stringent standards necessary for approval to export to Germany and made a strong impact by packaging our honey and jam in polypropylene sachets for high quality and shelf life. The European competitors feel threatened by our presence,” said Chayaa, who is now busy tying up with a Saudi Arabian company for the production of jams from dates.
She credited the Karnataka Village Industries Board (KVIB), CBRTI, the Horticulture Department, the Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI), Le Meridien, ITC Foods and a host of others who supported her. “Any small and marginal farmer in Karnataka producing quality honey can contact me. My sole aim is to promote rural products and help women in distress by providing employment opportunities,” she said.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Karnataka / by Meera Bhardwaj / July 31st, 2014
Anticipating policy support from the Modi government at the Centre, Tata Solar Power (TSP) announced expansion of its manufacturing facility from 125 MW TO 200 MW at Bangalore.
The TSP officials also praised the Commerce Ministry’s initiative of levying Anti-Dumping Duties (ADD) and Domestic Content Requirement (DCR) of solar cells on US, Malaysia and China, as a positive move to level the playing field for the domestic producers.
Ajay Goel, the CEO of TSP, said, “This substantial expansion, in an extremely competitive and price-sensitive sector, is a testimony to the superior quality and global competitiveness of our products. Though the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM) originally intends to promote domestic producers in the Solar power manufacturing industry, there are barely few takers for such schemes as the cost of capital will still remain high in the presence of cheap flowing from the Chinese market,” he said.
Incidentally, the company officials maintained that it has not received any expression of interest from the Karnataka government, which in recent day has been actively in news for promoting roof-top solar panels for domestic users under Karnataka Solar policy.
source: http://www.indianexpress.com / The Indian Express / Home> Cities> Bangalore / Express News Service / Bangalore – May 28th, 2014
Canara Bank has lanched a unique skill development programme of making stationery and gift items with pressed flowers, craft paper bags designed for women inmates of central prison, Parappana Agrahara, here.
The three-day skill training programme at the women’s block of the central prison was organized under the CSR initiative of the bank. It was meant to engage the women to generate income while within the prison wall as well to equip them to make their livelihood on release.
Canara Bank DGM K Virupaksha assured the women further training support and added that the bank will support in marketing the products made by the women through the high-tech mobile sales van “Nammura Santhe” which is a unique initiative of the bank for helping micro women entrepreneurs in the City of Bangalore.
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Bangalore / M.K. Madhusoodan, TNN / July 30th, 2014
Prestige Group head Irfan Razack buys a 4000-sq ft plot once owned by the late Ambaram Fakirbhai. The property is just a block away from a shop from where the rags-to-riches story of the construction group began
Irfan Razack says he bought the property since it is close to their first store, Prestige Men’sStore, on Commercial Street
Virgin land in the heart of the city is priceless. Those with ramshackle old buildings on them command a hefty price. But the benchmark was raised on Monday when a plot on upscale Commercial Street was sold for Rs 62,500 per square foot — the highest in the city so far.
Irfan Razack, head of the Prestige Group, the top realty firm, purchased the 4,000-sq ft plot from the heirs of late Ambaram Fakirbhai, the textile businessman who once owned large swathes of land in the area now known as Indiranagar. Razack was the lone bidder in the auction.
The plot, which bears municipal registration numbers 15 and 16 and includes a dilapidated building, was bought for a staggering Rs 25 crore at a public auction. This is the second largest realty deal in Bangalore in the last fortnight; the previous one was an eight-acre plot in Koramangala which sold for Rs 345 crore.
“The going rate around Commercial Street is in the Rs 40,000 – 45,000 per sq ft range,” a realtor who monitors transactions in the central business district said. “But the Ambaram deal is a real stunner.”
The Prestige Group are not saying what they plan to do with the plot just as yet, but a source said, “The area is close to the hearts of the Prestige Group founders as they started with a cloth shop on Commercial Street close to the Ambaram plot. By buying land a stone’s throw away from their old store, they have shown that they want to stay attached to their Commercial Street roots.”
Confirming the transaction, Razack told Bangalore Mirror, “The property is very close to my property – Prestige Men’s Store. I bought this because there is only one property between this and our property. The Prestige Men’s Store is a family business run by me and my brothers (two of them). It was a matter of pride to buy a property on this street.”
On the exorbitant price, Razack indicated that he had little choice. “The court had fixed a minimum price of Rs 25 crore for the property,” Razack said. “We were the only ones to participate in the bidding as two others who had registered their names, didn’t participate. Though the price is on the higher side, I don’t think I will regret my decision five years later. It is a family deal and my company has no role in this. This was a personal decision.”
The auction brought the curtains down on a 43-year-old feud by heirs of Ambaram over the land. “Since the heirs could not reach a consensus on sharing the prime property, the court decided to auction it,” sources said.
According to the copies accessed by Bangalore Mirror, the original propositus was Ambaram Fakir Bhai. He married Jeeva Bai and after her death, he married Girija Bai. They had six sons — Thakurdas, A Venilal, A Ramanlal, A Sukhlal, A Krishna, A Narayan — and five daughters — Umiya Ben, Vichkore Ben, Parvathi Ben, Narmada Ben and Tara Ben.
After the death of Ambaram, his eldest daughter, Vichkore Ben, filed a suit for partition of her 1/12 share in the estate left behind by her father. Though the suit was still pending, she sold her right, title and interest in favour of four of her brothers — Krishna, Venilal, Sukhlal and Narayan. Similarly the other four daughters received a certain sum of money from these four brothers in lieu of their share in full and final settlement. Thakurdas and Ramanlal were each allotted 1/7th share.
The above suit culminated in final decree proceedings initiated by Thakurdas in 1981. A commissioner was appointed to work out the modalities of actual partition. He reported to the High Court that the properties were not divisible and that it should be disposed in a public auction. Dispute arose in regard to the mode of partition of shop premises No 15/15, Commercial Street and premises No 27 F, E and D of Hospital Road. It resulted in a civil revision petition before the High Court (CRP No 2920/1973).
All the brothers, however, had reached an agreement that Thakurdas and Ramanlal were to be given first option to purchase 5/7 share of the parties to the suit by depositing Rs 10.71 lakh in the trial court on or before November 14, 1974. When they failed to deposit the amount, the other brothers – Venilal, Sukhlal, Narayan and Krishna — purchased the share of Thakurdas and Ramanlal by depositing a sum of Rs 1.75 lakh each.
Since the four brothers did not have funds, they had obtained a loan from Vijaya Bank to buy their bothers’ shares. It was also agreed that immediately after the purchase of share of Thakurdas and Ramanlal’s shares, premises bearing No 15 and No 16 of Commercial Street and premises No 27 F, E and D of Hospital Road will be substituted as security for the repayment of the loan in place of the individual properties of Venilal and Sukhlal.
Property was locked for 15 years
The three brothers entered into possession in April 1976, while another brother, Narayana, took actual possession of the entire premises in 1978. But he kept the premises under lock and key for 15 years, rendering it unfit for human habitation. Moreover the loan obtained from Vijaya Bank had not been repaid despite repeated reminders. A fresh suit was filed in 1991 for partition of the property. The suit was contested and during the pendency of the suit, two brothers, Venilal and Sukhlal, died.
During the pendency of appeal, parties decided to settle the matter amicably and they filed a compromise petition before the High Court on September 5, 2005. The court decided to auction the property.
Earlier bids unsuccessful
The court’s reserve price for the Commercial Street property was set at Rs 12 crore, while that of the Hospital Road properties was Rs 6 crore. All bids were to commence for a price higher than the reserve price indicated above.
Advocate K N Krishna Rao, representing the family members of Ambaram, told Bangalore Mirror, “During 2005, the Hospital Road property was sold for Rs 18 crore at an auction, but there was no buyer for the Commercial Street property. The Commercial Street property was again put up for auction in 2008 and again there were no bidders. Finally on Monday, the auction was conducted with the initial bid amount of Rs 25 crore and if was successful.”
source: http://www.bangaloremirror.com / Bangalore Mirror / Home> Bangalore> Cove Story / by Atul Chaturvedi, Bangalore Mirror Bureau / July 23rd, 2014
Grey clouds hover over Russell Square. They growl menacingly and then spit out fat raindrops. I take cover at the newspaper stall next to Luna Sweets.
A group of men sit on wooden benches outside a chai shop, sipping hot tea.Theycomplain that Shivajinagar is definitely dirtier and more crowded than before. Prasad, the news stall owner tells me that it affects business.”It was not like this in earlier times”recollects a grey haired Syed Anwar.
“The Shivajinagar Bus Terminus used to be a football field called the ChotaMaidan in the late 40’s. At the corner of the Square opposite St.Mary’s Basilica was a petrol bunk and in the middle was a large public toilet and well.” They begin to swap stories and I am included in the reminiscences.
“When my father moved his business here in 1957, military officers and Europeans from the Cantonment came to get watches fixed.” says a bespectacled Syed Mahmood. I peek into his shop; the Paris Watch Company.
It is filled with timepieces; grandfather clocks hang on the wall and squat little brass vintage alarm clocks tick merrily inside a tiny work cabin. “Our earlier shop, the Pearl Watch Company (present Mota Chambers) was on Brigade Road. Business was good there.” The shop shifted to Shivajinagar in 1957.
“My family was originally from Chikmagalur where my grandfather had a circus. He was good with animals but it ran at a loss so he shifted to fixing watches.” My eyes widen. I have unexpectedly come across astory on this rainy evening in Bangalore. Perhaps the city speaks only when we stop to listen.
Syed Mahmood’s father, Syed Jaffer,was a respected horologist,well known amongst vintage watch collectors in the city.”One day in the late 70’s, Dr.Ajaz Ahmad, a Unani specialist from Mysore called him about a very important job.
Watchmakers across the country and beyond had failed at it since the three missing parts were irreplaceable. My father manufactured the parts,re-assembled the clock in 30 days and took it to Delhi where he presented the working Mantel Clock to its owner, the Prime Minister, Mrs. Indira Gandhi. He charged only `3000 for the job” says Syed Mahmood “but Mrs.Gandhi gave him `10,000.”
Syed Jaffer refused to teach his son the craft through books. “I learnt how to repair and assemble watches standing beside him all day.” His eyes grow moist. “He was a very fine man.”
Syed Jaffer was returning from weekly prayers at a mosque in Kumbarpet when he was unknowingly caught in police firing on MG Road in December 1986, duringa protest over a fictional story in a local newspaper. The stray bullet damaged his voice and his vocation. His shaking hands never fixed a watch again till his demise two years later
The shop fills with sadness. Syed Mahmood wipes his eyes.
The clouds pass and thestories end. The men discuss world events. Paris Watch Company goes back to work. Syed Mahmood hunches over a dial and scrutinises it carefully.He fixes all kinds of clocks and watches including new ones, but the vintage French mantel clocks are a personal favourite. “Like the English clocks, they are almost impossible to replicate.”
Customers arrive to pick up their resurrected Omega or Rolex watches. They tell me that his skill and dedication too, are equally irreplaceable.The shop’s reputation remains unaltered by time.
The writer is a cultural documentarian and blogs at aturquoisecloud.wordpress.com
source: http://www.bangaloremirror.com / Bangalore Mirror / Home> Columns> Others / by Bangalore Mirror Bureau /July 14th, 2014
K. Deepak was elected as the President of Mysore District Journalists Association (MDJA) in the elections to the governing body held yesterday.
Deepak defeated his lone rival Kundur Umesh Bhat by a margin of 28 votes to bag the top post.
S.T. Ravikumar was elected City Vice-President defeating his rival Jayanth by a margin of 15 votes. Gajendra was elected Rural Vice-President defeating his rival Bherya Mahesh by a margin of 47 votes.
Lokesh Babu was elected General Secretary defeating his rival Subramanya by a margin of 34 votes. Srikanta Swamy was elected City Gen. Secretary defeating his rival Sashikumar by 58 votes.
Madhusudhan was elected as Treasurer defeating his rival Raghavendra by 29 votes. H.S. Sachhith was earlier elected unopposed as Rural Secretary.
The following were elected to the Executive Committee: Manju Kote, Ram, Hampa Nagaraj, Vatal B. Anand, D.C. Diddahalli Raghu, D.N. Mahendra, Nanjangud Madhu, Dharmapura Narayan, Ramachandra Ganga, Lakshminarayan Yadav, Nagesh Panathale, V. Mahesh Kumar (Kollegal Mahesh), M. Ravi, H.M. Aravind, P. Rangaswamy.
Interestingly, Ram and P. Rangaswamy, who have been elected to the Executive Committee are brothers.
In all, 50 candidates had contested for 22 posts, with two candidates each contesting for the posts of President, city Vice-President, Rural Vice-President, General Secretary, Secretary and Treasurer and a total of 38 for 15 Executive Committee posts. The election to MDJA Executive Body (2014-17) was held between 8 am and 2 pm yesterday, with 274 members out of the total electoral strength of 292 casting their vote.
Senior Journalists Echanur Kumar and M.S. Kashinath supervised the election.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / July 14th, 2014
Hullambi, a nondescript village tucked away in the forest area in Kalghatgi taluk of Dharwad district is now attracting a good deal of attention, with reports of the presence of gold ore.
A team of geologists from the Geological Survey of India, Bangalore, and forest officers visited Hullambi two days ago and conducted some tests.
Geologists had in 2005 conducted a survey in the reserve forest area that falls under Tumarikoppa limits in Kalghatagi, and taken soil samples for testing. A positive report on the presence of gold ore in the top soil prompted geologists and forest officials to visit this place again for a further survey and test, said sources.
Udayakumar Jogi, assistant conservative forest officer, Kalghatagi, who is also part of the team, told TOI there are reports of the presence of gold ore in Bangargatti hill, bearing survey no 252 in Hullambi of Tumarikoppa reserve forest area.
“We conducted a preliminary survey in the area and also identified about 10 strategic points to dig pits up to 2-3 feet in depth to confirm the presence of gold ore. This process will be carried out by the Geological Survey of India, Bangalore, probably from next month as it has to seek permission to go ahead with its plan from the forest department and central government,” he added.
GSI, Bangalore, is likely to get permission shortly and begin its operations. After digging pits, the soil will again be sent for tests for a clearer report. “Our intention is to dig up deeper pits to confirm at what depth gold can be found,” he said.
It may be recalled that this is the second village in the district to report gold ore presence in the forest land. Exploration of gold ore was going on for a few years in Mangalgatti village of Dharwad district.
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Bangalore> Namma Metro / TNN / July 12th, 2014
SJCE Principal Dr. Shakeeb-Ur-Rehman is seen inaugurating the workshop at SJCE premises this morning as architects M.P. Nagaraju, Chandrashekar, Shashi Kumar look on.
Mysore :
Arklines Architecture and Interior Design Studio, Kuvempunagar, in association with Sri Jayachamarajendra College of Engineering (SJCE) had organised a day-long workshop on architectural solutions for eco-habitat system at SJCE premises here today.
The workshop was attended by over 100 architects, designers and students.
Inaugurating the workshop, SJCE Principal Dr. Shakeeb-Ur-Rehman said that a serious thought should be given to check environmental pollution. He suggested to make use of the solar and wind power to its best, to tide over energy crisis. He added that the common man should be made aware of environmental protection and energy conservation. Arklines President and Architect S. Shashi Kumar, Architect Chandrashekar and others were present.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Sports General News / July 10th, 2014
Dr. B R Shetty is the Founder & Chief Executive Officer of the Abu Dhabi-based NMC Healthcare and Managing Director & CEO of UAE Exchange. He was recently presented with the Frost & Sullivan – Lifetime Achievement Award of the Year 2013 by Y.S. Shashidhar, Managing Director – Middle East, North Africa and South Asia, Frost & Sullivan and Sandeep Sinha, Vice President – Middle East, North Africa and South Asia, Healthcare & Life Sciences at Frost & Sullivan.
Speaking about the Award, Dr. B R Shetty said, “I feel honoured to have been conferred with the Lifetime Achievement Award. I want to thank Frost & Sullivan for their encouragement and appreciation. Awards such as these are always a source of motivation to dream bigger and achieve higher. They act as the fuel that drives my passion towards serving the society through my professional ventures and personal pursuits.”
Frost & Sullivan Awards are presented to companies and individuals who have pushed the boundaries of excellence in the industry – rising above the competition and demonstrating outstanding contribution to industry and economic growth. Through this award, Dr. Shetty was recognised for playing a pivotal role in development and strengthening of the healthcare sector in the UAE and for his exemplary leadership qualities and involvement in philanthropic activities. Dr. Shetty’s journey is an inspiration to many and exemplifies the power of the human will.
Presenting the Award to Dr. Shetty, Y.S. Shashidhar, Managing Director – Middle East, North Africa and South Asia, Frost & Sullivan, said, “Dr. Shetty’s contribution to the healthcare sector in the UAE is exemplary. Achieving one’s ambition through path-breaking innovation, ability to turn challenges into opportunities and strategic thought leadership to ensure sustainable growth are skills which the Lifetime Achievement Award recognises. We are therefore, proud to present this Award to Dr. Shetty for the phenomenal impact he has made through hard work and perseverance.”
Prasad discussed concerns of services, products & manufacturing industries; said he’ll stand by the industry
Bangalore on Tuesday hosted Communications and Information Technology Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad for the first time since his appointment.
Ravi Shankar Prasad
The event was organised by information technology (IT) body Nasscom and software product think tank Indian Software Product Industry Round Table (iSPIRT). IT leaders raised concerns on policies and doing business in the country. Others shared their ideas on strengthening the Indian IT ecosystem.
The meeting, parts of which were closed-door, was attended by Wipro Chairman Azim Premji; Microsoft India Chairman Bhaskar Pramanik; Microsoft Ventures Director Ravi Narayan; Infosys Delivery Excellence Head Srinath Batni; Mindtree Chief Executive Krishnakumar Natarajan; Mastek Founder Ashank Desai; and Info Edge Founder Sanjeev Bikhchandani, among others.
Referring to his visit to Bangalore as ‘IT Panchayat’, Prasad said this was his maiden trip outside of Delhi ever since he took charge as a minister, which is a ‘signal’ and a ‘mission statement’ with respect to the style of functioning of the new government.
“If you ask me, they (IT industry representatives) did not have much of grievances; what they wanted was a sense of sentimental patronage by me and that’s why I am here, to give them the recognition that I am with you and I stand by you. That is why I am here,” Prasad told reporters at the end of all the meetings.
Prasad, who is also the minister for law and justice, said the newly elected National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government will focus on two major milestones, including broadband connectivity across rural India and electronics manufacturing in the country.
The new government has initiated efforts to speed up the process for setting up of semiconductor chip fabrication (fab) units in the country, he said. “I had personal chats with people behind the fab projects. I have asked them to do it on a fast-track basis and we are going to stand behind them because I realise the potential that once a fab facility is established, India is going to expand enormously in everything from chip design to manufacturing,” he said. He added that the government is looking to create structure like Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) to further incentivise fabs.
The government is currently shortlisting consultants who will appraise the detailed project reports submitted by the two consortiums who bid for the project. Infrastructure company Jaypee Associates and home-grown chip firm Hindustan Semiconductor Manufacturing Corporation (HSMC) lead the two existing consortiums.
While Prasad assured industry representatives that he would look into the matters relating to taxes and duties on electronics manufacturing, he also questioned industry leaders about other reasons why India has been a laggard in the sector. Electronics manufacturing, he said, is “a priority” for the new government, and sought feedback on what can be done to give a boost to the sector.
“Why can’t we manufacture mobiles?” he asked. “I understand there is a duty structure issue, and we are trying to address it, but that cannot be the only reason why the sector did not grow,” he said.
He also said that broadband connectivity to villages is an agenda of great priority for the government.
“When I had joined the government I had made a statement that if Mr. Vajpayee’s government was known for national highway, Mr. Modi’s government will be known for broadband highway,” Prasad said. “Broadband connectivity is an agenda of great priority for us. The Prime Minister has clearly instructed us that we must have broadband in all the villages of India.”
source: http://www.business-standard.com / Business Standard / Home> Economy & Policy> News / by Itika Sharma Punit /Bangalore – July 02nd, 2014
