Founded in 1972, Dainese the famous Italian company known for making quality motorcycling safety and protective gear will soon open their first store in India, in Bangalore. Called the D Store, the company has tied up with Tusker Group, owners of Bangalore Harley Davidson showroom who will have franchise for the upcoming store.
Dainese, based in Vicenza, Italy was founded in 1972 by President Lino Dainese. The brand is instrumental in introducing many firsts in the arena of motorcycle racing and introduced the first ever knee slider while the back protector was invented by Barry Sheene. It is also the first motorcycle gear manufacturer to introduce air equipped racing suite called D-Air.
All these products and much more will be on display at the D Store in Bangalore, reports Overdrive . The group also plans on opening more such D Stores in other cities across Indian in the coming 3-4 years which will include cities like Mumbai, Pune, Delhi, Chennai and Coimbatore. India will also get a regional specific website soon where you can purchase Dainese gear online at www.dainesedstore.in soon.
The first D Store will be at 123A, first floor, Orion Mall, Brigade Gateway, Bangalore 560055.
source: http://www.rushlane.com /RushLane , Daily Auto News / HOme / by Nabanita Singha Roy / October 03rd, 2013
Expanding its arecanut marketing, the city-based Central Arecanut and Cocoa Marketing and Processing Cooperative Ltd. (Campco) has opened its an arecanut sales depot at Porbandar, Gujarat. Konkodi Padmanabha, President of the cooperative, inaugurated it on Sunday.
M. Suresh Bhandary, Managing Director of the cooperative, said it was the 10th arecanut sales depot of Campco in North India and first in Saurashtra region.
He said in the first year, the cooperative was expecting to sell about 5,000 quintals of arecanut in the depot. It was selling retail packets of 1 kg and large bags of 65 kg at wholesale price.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Mangalore / by Special Correspondent / Mangalore – October 01st, 2013
(Top) The entry point into the world of art… (Below) An enthusiastic lot at work…at The Hobby Place.
Mysore :
Some people take years to realise and discover what their passion is. But this young lady had set her mind to see herself as an entrepreneur when she was a child. Entrepreneurship had been her dream and choosing it for life came naturally to her, courtesy: being born into a family of entrepreneurs and also being married into one later.
Some years ago, city’s Savitha Shenoy Ranga started off her career as a software engineer after graduating from NIE. Her quest to feed her brain with things knowledgeable made her do many things different. Post her tryst with a corporate firm she set out to teach graduate and undergraduate classes in Mysore and New York and even worked with non-profit organisations in the Heritage City. But she proved that dreams do come true when she established her own art studio – The Hobby Place recently.
The Hobby Place in city is a creative hobby centre that conducts for art enthusiasts, a variety of art classes and workshops each day. Home to a team of talented artists with years of experience in teaching various art forms, art lovers can go here to see, learn or even teach art if they intend to.
Talking of her firm and the reasons behind her starting it, Savitha says, “I firstly did not want to become a stereotype so always tried my hands on different things. Having travelled extensively across six continents, I realised that life is perpetually busy no matter how old you are and that taking time to live will only inspire you to work better. With this life lesson, I envisioned a hobby centre in Mysore with the aim of making learning and pursuing hobbies more accessible to Mysoreans of all age and to make childhood more fun for kids and to broaden their exposure to newer activities out of the ordinary.”
At the Hobby Place, people can conduct special events and workshops, private lessons and custom events as well. “We also undertake orders from individuals, interior designers, architects, and organisations and execute tailor-made designs. It could be anything from customised pottery to a mural and one of a kind art piece to kitchen-ware, ornament or a hand-crafted gift for a friend,” says Savitha, adding, “our team of experienced artists will make sure it is implemented right to the finest detail.”
Some of the art forms that one can look forward to learning or practicing at the place include pottery-making, mosaic art, painting, crochet, knitting, courses in theatrics and more. And the clay used for pottery making is all natural and chemical-free and most other hobby materials are hand-made by rural women, according to Savitha.
Apart from running the art studio, Savitha also volunteers as an honorary teacher at Rangarao Memorial School for disabled and is a volunteer consultant at SVYM-V-LEAD under Dr. R. Balasubramaniam.
“But if I am talking so much about my dream profession today, it’s all because of my family which has supported me extensively in making my dream come true,” the 29-year-old gushes, “if not for my husband’s help, I couldn’t have researched so much about art, found such unique artists and set up The Hobby Place,” speaking of her better half Vishnu Ranga – Managing Partner, N. Rangarao & Sons, Mysore, and adds, “and everyone else in my family including my in- laws and parents have been equally supportive as well.”
And aware of the fact that the life of an entrepreneur is all of challenges, Ms. Ranga asserts, “The Hobby Place will do its best to keep the artists and art lovers continually enthused, hosting and organising the best of things by the dexterous most. It is then that the rest will follow…”
The Hobby Place is located at Yadavagiri and is open to public between 10 am and 11 pm all days except Monday.
— AN
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Feature Articles / October 03rd, 2013
Darshan is seen in his paper plates manufacturing unit located at Bannimantap.
by S. N. Venkatnag Sobers
Mysore :
Being born as a differently-abled is considered to be the consequences of an impairment that may be physical, cognitive, mental, sensory, emotional, developmental, or some combinations of these. A disability may be present from birth, or occur during a person’s lifetime. Medical community has classified the condition causing disability as follows:
1.Inherited (genetically transmitted).
2.Congenital, meaning caused by a mother’s infection or other diseases during pregnancy, embryonic or fetal developmental irregularities, or by injury during or soon after birth.
3.Acquired, such as conditions caused by illness or injury or of unknown origin.
To overcome the disability and prove to the world that they are as strong as a normal person, one needs courage and guts. Normally, a person with any disability will depend on others to help with their routine. However, there are several examples where in persons with such disabilities have achieved success without much assistance from others, using their own intellectual skills. One such example is that of great Stephen Hawking, an English theoretical physicist, cosmologist, author and Director of Research at the Centre for Theoretical Cosmology at the Cambridge University. Despite being diagnosed with a motor neuron disease related to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) at the age of 21, he went on to become one of the most successful scientists of this century. Hawking is almost entirely paralysed and communicates through a speech generating device. He continues to inspire people around the world and has dreams of visiting outer space once.
The person, who I am introducing here in my story, is not Stephen Hawking, but an ordinary person, who was as normal as others until he met with an accident couple of years back in Bangalore. Meet B.R. Darshan Kumar, an entrepreneur, who runs a small-scale industry that manufactures paper plates at Bannimantap in city. Hailing from a business family, Darshan was working as a Project Manager in a software company in Bangalore. All was well until a tragedy struck him on April 1, 2011, when a BMTC bus hit him near Monotype, Banashankari 2nd Stage, Bangalore, when on his way to office.
No one came to his rescue and Darshan got himself admitted to a hospital to save his leg and life, where he was treated for 48 days. His leg was amputated after several failed attempts to save it. After this tragedy, his company asked him to continue with the job, but Darshan wanted to come back and start his own business and stay with his parents in city.
After this horrific accident, Darshan did not lose hope and courage. He instead decided to get a prosthetic leg and lead a normal life. A prosthetic leg is much more expensive when compared to the Jaipur Artificial Limb available in India. But the advantages of having a prosthetic limb are much more than the Jaipur limb.
A Prosthesic Leg has a Titanium foot and carbon fibre socket, which enables a person to continue with his normal work with optimum mobility. Speaking to Star of Mysore, Darshan said that he booked for the prosthetic leg through a company called the Otto Bock. According to Darshan, he has been leading a normal life with his prosthetic leg.
He was also recently seen participating at the Celebration Run in which he walked for 5 kms along with his friend Avinash. While most people were relaxing at their residences on a lazy Sunday, Darshan was seen participating in the Celebration Run. There are many people who feel dejected with their lives and take extreme steps. But, in case of Darshan, he was bold enough to face the reality of life and move ahead.
Today, Darshan has provided employment for about 20 persons at his factory.
Darshan’s father B.B. Rajashekar, runs Sri Nandi Agro Industries, a Neem Organic Manure. His mother K.T. Bharathi is a home maker.
Darshan has proved that the differently-abled can also lead a normal life. He is truly an inspiration for those who have lost all hopes.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Feature Articles / by S. N. Venkatnag Sobers / October 02nd, 2013
Referring to the issue related to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), which has been made mandatory by the new laws that govern companies, IT czar Azim Premji today said philanthropy cannot be forced and it has to be spontaneous.
Premji, founder-Chairman of Wipro – India’s third largest software services exporter added however that efforts towards social good need to be “meaningful” and the government alone is not responsible for “social good”.
“They are trying to force something. It should be spontaneous,” Premji said while commenting on the issue of mandatory CSR during his address at the All India Management Association’s (AIMA) 40th national convention here.
The billionaire philanthropist added that giving back to the society is important for the growth of a better world, but it should come from within.
Premji said the stipulation of spending 2 per cent of profits should not become a tax at a later stage.
Under the new Companies Act, 2013, all profitable firms with a sizable business will have to spend every year at least 2 per cent of three-year average profit on CSR works.
This would apply to companies with turnover of Rs 1,000 crore and more, or net worth of Rs 500 crore and more, or a net profit of Rs 5 crore and more.
The new rules, which would be applicable from fiscal 2014 -15, also require firms to set up a CSR committee of their board members, including at least one independent director.
However, Premji said: “If things have to change in the society then the involvement of the whole ecosystem is must. One cannot rely on government alone to do social good and one has to become a co-sharer of the goal and the outcome.”
Outlining the key factors for making CSR successful, he emphasised on the need to define the purpose and scale of CSR activities and choose a focus area.
Premji, however, cautioned against making CSR a substitute for personal philanthropy.
“There should be a distinction between a company activity which is CSR and personal activity that is philanthropy,” he added.
Known for his business acumen as well as philanthropy, Premji said the company’s and entrepreneur’s responsibility to the society are two different issues.
In 2010, Premji had donated 8.7 per cent from his personal stock-holding in Wipro for philanthropy forming the endowment for the Azim Premji Foundation , a not-for-profit organisation set up in 2001.
In February, he announced transfer of 295.5 million Wipro shares worth Rs 12,300 crore held by certain entities controlled by him to an irrevocable trust.
source: http://www.articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> News by Company> Social Responsibility / by PTI / September 26th, 2013
Running in its 20th year, Max Miss Bangalore 2013 is set to inspire many beautiful and talented girls aspiring to make headway into the glam world. The Miss Bangalore beauty pageant is getting a notch bigger with every passing year. With over 500 girls making a beeline for the auditions at Le Meridien today, it only goes to show the event’s impressive caliber that has assisted many fashion careers down the past two decades.
Feroz Khan of Dream Merchants, who started Max Miss Bangalore and has seen many runways sizzling shares, “Max Miss Bangalore is in its 12th edition and this year we will be selecting 16 girls out of over 500 that have auditioned today. We have fashion choreographer Sreedhar who will be assisting us in picking girls with the X-factor and we will be announcing the results tomorrow. The age group of these girls is 16 to 22. Most of them are college students, while some are even working with MNCs in the city. The criterion for selection is the overall confidence, height, figure and also general awareness and speaking skills which will be judged at the question round. We have categories like Miss Catwalk, Miss Hair, Miss Skin, Miss Figure, Miss Beautiful Eyes and Miss Photogenic.”
Adds, Sajad Mahajan, partner Dream Merchants and Max Miss Bangalore, “Many girls who used the Miss Bangalore pageant as their launch pad over the years have made exciting careers in celluloid, modelling, television and advertising. We can also boast of some of the previous Miss Bangalore Queens like Ruchita Prasad who became a Kannada and Tamil movie star and Sara Corner who was crowned Miss India. They also walk the ramp for the Bangalore Fashion Week that has now gone international.”
Nicole Padival, who was crowned Miss Bangalore last year is happy to be getting a lot of work. “It’s nice to get the respect and recognition from the fashion industry and modelling assighments,” says Nicole.
source: http://www.deccanchronicle.com / Deccan Chronicle / Home> Lifestyle> Fashion-Beauty / by Namita Gupta / DC – September 04th, 2013
Enterprising individuals have begun door-delivery of food and booze right through the night to cater to the demand of graveyard shift workers.
– Anantha Subramanyam K/ DNA
“When I finish work and come out of office, I find that there is nothing to eat or drink,” says Tushar Nadkarni, an online retail businessman. Tushar’s lament is the lament of scores of people and professionals working in Bangalore, which calls itself a global city but behaves like a small town.
But not all have surrendered to the temptations of a goodnight sleep, as Tushar recently found out.
Tushar had a gastronomic surprise when he discovered Biryani Night Out through a phone inquiry service. “I ordered food at 1.30am for myself and two colleagues. The food was superb. We felt like ordering more, and there it was, again, with the delivery boy at our doorsteps smiling,” says Tushar.
Like Tushar, many professionals working in the IT/ITeS sectors are a relieved lot to find midnight eating options in the city: where there is demand, there will eventually be supply.
Enterprising individuals in the city are supplying food and drink right at the doorsteps between 11.30 pm and almost until pre-dawn.
For instance, one such enterprise Biryani Night Out in Yeshwanthpur even has a Facebook page which states “Treating tastebuds at midnight”. It caters to clients until 3am from its outlet in Yeshwanthpur.
Nayaz Pasha, owner of Biryani Night Out, says that he always wanted to be his own boss; and after completing his engineering degree last year, he did just that: he opened Biryani Night Out after realising that there was a large demand for night delivery services.
On Jan 18, 2013, based out of Yeshwanthpur, Biryani Night Out began dishing out biriyanis to famished Bangaloreans within a 10-km radius.
“I don’t charge for delivery as everyone gets hungry. So even if someone wants just one biryani, we deliver,” he says, adding that response has been so good that he now has five delivery boys, two chefs, a manager and a marketing consultant.
Vaibhav Ali, who runs Midnight Hunger Solution 24/7 from Indiranagar, used to be an event manager. “Events and parties go on till late night. After all the hard work, when we are hungry, there were very few options. I wanted good, hygienic, tasty and reasonable food available 24/7. That apart, MHS was born out of another need too. February-March-April season is a lean period for events. So there was a gap in business for me then. That’s prompted us to come up with Midnight Hunger Solution,” says Vaibhav Ali, co-owner.
Then there is SRS Restaurant 24/7. Started six months ago by Satish M, the restaurant is now doing roaring business, confirming once again that the city is very alive, kicking and hungry through the night.
Satish’s biryanis (chicken and mutton) and Andhra-style meals are a hot favourite and he delivers “anywhere in the city”, he says.
Senthil Kumar, owner of KFDS 24/7 (KFDS stands for Kevin Food Delivery Service), too has a smile on his face, as his gamble to open a 24/7 restaurant paid-off. He has a regular clientele with IT offices. “They (IT professionals) asked me to start late night delivery as well. I tried it out and found the business to be roaring,” says Senthil.
According to legal experts, there is no prohibition on delivering food after 1pm. “A commercial establishment has to be closed at 11pm. However, there is no prohibition on delivering food to homes post 11pm,” says senior advocate Ravi B Naik.
Former advocate general Uday Holla, too, agrees: “There is absolutely no bar on delivering food post 11pm. Home delivery for food is not illegal post 11pm.”
However, such night delivery services are set to witness a boom in the near future with National Association of Software and Services Companies (Nasscom) predicting more than a three-fold increase in IT/BPO workforce by 2020 — a sizable portion of which will be Bangalore-bound.
(Inputs from Suchith Kidiyoor and Odeal D’Souza)
Midnight Hunger Solution 24/7
Phone: 080-66534184,
8088922299, 8088922295
Email: midnighthungersolution@gmail.com
Service started on Feb 24, 2012.
They deliver anywhere in the city.
Serves Mughlai, Indian and Chinese food.
Meal for two would approximately cost Rs 300-400. Delivery charges are Rs 100.
Biryani Night Out
Phone: 09741109909
Serves chicken, vegetable biryani, kababs and soft drinks.
Veg biryani is priced at Rs 139, chicken biryani at Rs 159 and kababs at Rs 159 or 179 for 10 pieces.
SRS Restaurant 24/7
Phone: 080-49152614, 9738973503
They deliver anywhere in the city.
Late-night delivery charges around Rs 100-Rs 150 (based on the distance from Kammanahalli — their base).
Biryanis and Andhra-style meals are hot favourites.
Two eminent Civil consultants M.L.Krishnaswami (sitting right) and C.N.Babu, who were felicitated during Engineers Day held in city, are seen with Dr.Ravi Raj, Secretary, ACCE(I), Mysore, Surya Prakash, President ACCE(I), Headquarters, K. Jayakumar, Assistant Vice President, Marketing, The Ramco Cements Ltd, Dr.C.S.Viswanatha, Chairman, Civil Aid Technolicinic Pvt. Ltd., Bangalore and Dr.G.S.Suresh Chairman, ACCE(I), Mysore.
Mysore :
The Association of Consulting Civil Engineers -India (ACCE-I), Mysore Centre in association with The RAMCO Cements Ltd., celebrated the Engineers Day on Sept. 23 at Hotel Sandesh The Prince in city.
On the occasion, two Eminent Engineers M.L. Krishnaswami, Chartered Engineer and Structural Consultant, Mysore and C.N. Babu, Retired Chief Engineer, Irrigation, Government of Karnataka, were felicitated in recognition of their contribution in the field of Civil Engineering.
The chief guest Dr. C.S. Viswanatha, Chairman, Civil Aid Technoclinic Pvt. Ltd., Bangalore, in his address shared some rare facts and achievements of Sir M. Visvesvaraya and inspired the gathering to follow his qualities like leadership, selflessness, dedication, time consciousness, challenging attitude, etc.
The guest of honour K. Jayakumar, Assistant Vice President – Marketing, The Ramco Cements Ltd., expressed the company’s intention to support such technical events to disseminate information among professionals and public at large.
Anil K. Pillai, Assistant General Manager – Technical Services, The Ramco Cements Ltd., gave a technical presentation about the various products and services offered by their company.
The National President of ACCE(I) P. Surya Prakash who presided expressed his happiness about such celebrations which will motivate the younger generation to emulate the work carried by Sir MV and the eminent engineers who were honoured. He also stressed the importance and the necessity of Engineers Bill for the benefit of Civil Engineering community which is currently being placed for approval before the concerned Union Ministry, Government of India.
The programme was attended by about 120 members which comprised leading Civil Engineering consultants, heads and faculty of various engineering colleges, members of other organisations like Builders Association of India and dealers in construction materials.
The Chairman of ACCE(I), Mysore centre, Dr. G.S. Suresh, welcomed. Hon. Secretary of ACCE(I), Mysore centre, Dr. S. Raviraj, proposed a vote of thanks.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / September 26th, 2013
Serving of nostalgia: The Fish Canteen in Cubbon Park, run by the Karnataka Fisheries’ Development Corporation, was once the only place in Bangalore where one was guaranteed fresh fish./ Photo: Karan Ananth / The Hindu
Cubbon Park has always meant different things to different people. To some, it is a colonial relic, to others a botanical treasure trove. A lovers’ glade to some and joggers’ park to others.
Through the late 1980s and 1990s, Cubbon Park was also the go-to place for fish lovers of the city, thanks to the Fish Canteen run by the Karnataka Fisheries’ Development Corporation.
Those were the days when the Fish Canteen was the only place in Bangalore where one was guaranteed fresh fish, raw or cooked. Mackerel and seer fish kebabs served with slices of salted bread and onion rings was a combination that was as popular as the fish thali.
The boom years of the late 1990s saw many restaurants sprout in the city, including those that served sea food. This period also saw a decline in the standards at the Fish Canteen.
Things continued to slide for over a decade with patrons at the canteen slowing down to a trickle. In 2010, the government finally gave the place a facelift, spending over Rs. 1 crore on turning it into a swanky restaurant from a basic canteen.
The menu though remained the same — fish kebabs (minus the bread) and thalis made up of ragi balls, rice, rasam, buttermilk and of course, fish curry.
Although the menu remained the same, there was a huge improvement in the quality for the first two years.
Standards have fallen again in the last year. The fish is often stale and rarely marinated. As a result, it seems like the fish and the curry were cooked separately and dunked together just before serving. The kebabs still have some sting left, though not half as good as what was served even 10 or 15 years ago.
Visit the Fish Canteen for the love of the place and the abundant fresh air, the prices aren’t bad either. But if you are have a desperate craving for fish, look yonder.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Bangalore / by Sudipto Monday / April 11th, 2013
He was the first to introduce Bowling to Mysoreans, the first to introduce them to Go-Karting, the first to introduce them to networked Video-Gaming and most importantly, every weekend Mysore danced to his tunes at the popular Hookah Bar. Then K. Panduranga Shenoy shut down Planet-X and disappeared. Many in Mysore were wondering what happened to this bold entrepreneur from the city. It turns out he’s been busy on an Italian Job. Panduranga Shenoy recently opened a Showroom of Italian Motorcycles, Aprilia and Moto Guzzi in Bangalore. SOM met up with the enterprising Shenoy to ask what he has been upto and why he shut down Planet-X.
Panduranga Shenoy is seen with Bollywood actor Sunny Leone at the launch of his motorcycle dealership for Italian bikes Aprilia and Moto Guzzi at Sheraton Hotel in Bangalore recently.
SOM: So, where have you been over the past year, you seem to have disappeared from Mysore?
Shenoy: I did not disappear, I was just dealing with some issues and had trouble running Planet-X, so I finally shut down the place and took some time off. Now I have started this motorcycle dealership.
SOM: Why a motorcycle dealership, why not another Planet-X or a Hookah Bar?
Shenoy: I love motorcycles, always have. So when I got an opportunity to have the franchise for one of the best motorcycles in the world — Italy’s Aprilia and Moto Guzzi — I couldn’t help myself. Also, I am done trying to open themed parks or even clubs or discothèques in Mysore or Bangalore. It is not worth the trouble. It’s ironic that for a nation that loves to dance at the drop of a hat, every effort has been made by law to prevent it.
SOM: Now, many Mysoreans are disappointed that you shut down Planet-X and they want to know why and also if you will ever open it ?
Shenoy: I never wanted to shut down Planet-X, but I was harassed into closing it. I started off with a lot of enthusiasm. I wanted Mysoreans to look forward for a weekend or an evening of fun. But ever since I opened Planet-X, senior officials have harassed me. First, the bureaucracy, then the Police, after I got a Police officer trapped by Lokayukta. After ten years, I had so many enemies that they made sure I was in perennial trouble. Finally, I couldn’t take it any more and I shut the place down.
SOM: Why didn’t you go to the Hotel and Restaurant Owners’ Association and take their help?
Shenoy: Whom are we kidding? Every hotelier, restaurant owner and even a small-time bar owner in city survives on the mercy of officialdom. What could they do?
SOM: Are you saying the officialdom was vengeful?
Shenoy: Yes, I do. But it doesn’t matter anymore. For now, the bureaucracy and the Police many feel victorious that they shut me down. They may feel that they have sent a message to others, “Never take on us”. But in the bigger picture Mysore has lost.
So by forcing me to fail, the bureaucracy and Police have failed the city.
And it is funny they (officials) still vehemently talk about making Mysore a tourist city, when all their actions prove to the contrary.
SOM: Will you open Planet-X again?
Shenoy: No. I won’t try any business in Mysore.
In Mysore, any new business which is slightly big becomes a target. I ended up being a big fish in a small city and I got harpooned, whereas here in Bangalore, I am a small fish, so I go unnoticed.
SOM: So you are a Bangalorean now?
Shenoy: Never. I love Mysore. It is my city. That is why I invested so much in Mysore. I will always be a Mysorean. I just refuse to start any business there, that’s all.
Shenoy: I would love to entertain Mysoreans, but now they will have to come to Bangalore. See, today I have invited all my friends from Mysore and I’ll make sure they have a good time.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Feature Articles / September 26th, 2013
