Category Archives: Business & Economy

Achievers felicitated on women’s day

Business & Economy, Leaders, Records, All

AchieversBF16mar2013

From left:  Gowramma (coconut vendor), K. Ningamma (KSRTC employee), Lakshmidevamma (progressive farmer), Kalpana Surendra (entrepreneur) and Jayalakshmi (post-woman) are seen with Dr. D.S. Leelavathi, Chairperson, DoS in Economics and Cooperation and others.

Mysore, Mar. 11 :

Five women achievers were felicitated by the Planning Forum of the Department of Studies in Economics and Co-operation, University of Mysore, at Manasagangotri here on Friday to mark International Women’s Day.

Septuagenarian tender coconut vendor Gowramma, KSRTC employee K. Ningamma, progressive farmer Lakshmidevamma, entrepreneur Kalpana Surendra and post-woman Jayalakshmi were honoured for their contribution to society.

Responding to the felicitation, Lakshmidevamma said more youth should take up farming and highlighted the benefits of hard work.

Citing the example of a farmer in K.R. Pet taluk who got 20 quintals of ragi per acre, she suggested that lessons on agriculture should be introduced in schools and children should be encouraged to plant saplings in their school campus.

KSRTC driver-cum-conductor Ningamma, who is reckoned to be the first female public bus driver here, narrated how she came up in life and in her profession.

She has been a role model for breaking into a male-dominated profession. “Success in any profession is possible only with hard work,” she said.

Gowramma, who sells tender coconuts on the roadside in Saraswathipuram, Kalpana Surendra and Jayalakshmi also spoke. Dr. D.S. Leelavathi, Chairperson, DoS in Economics and Cooperation, University of Mysore, presided.

source: http://www.StarofMysore.com / Home> General  / March 11th, 2013

‘Grow mushrooms and enjoy protein-rich food

Business & Economy, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature, Science & Technology

Mushroom seed packets to be produced for the first time in city

Mysore, Mar. 11

MushroomBF16mar2013Mushroom seed packets are being prepared in Mysore for the first time in the State, said Dr. M.S. Raju, Senior Assistant Director of the Horticulture Department, State Zone.

He was delivering the presidential address at the day-long training programme on mushroom cultivation held under the aegis of Laboratory Development Scheme of the Horticulture Department at Kukkarahalli lake here recently.

“A total of 15,000 packets weighing 250 grams and costing Rs. 10 each will be distributed among unemployed youth, women and farmers,” he said and added that the protein-rich mushrooms have great demand within the country and in foreign markets, fetching good revenue for the farmers.

“A week-long training in mushroom cultivation will be provided in Mysore city itself,” he said and added that along with the Watermelon Mela and Mango Mela, Mushroom Mela too will be held in the next month.

“Nutrition can be increased by consuming mushroom as a regular diet. Apart from being protein-rich, it helps in curing anemia, reduces body fat and controls diabetes,” said Dr. Raju.

Prof. Janardhan of the Department of Botany, Mysore University, speaking on the occasion, said that mushroom can be easily cultivated as a commercial crop using moist paddy straw. Mushrooms are the fruit-bearing parts of fungus whose extracts are used for manufacturing anti-biotic drugs, tonics, etc.

“In the future days of climate change and scarcity of agricultural land, growing food crops using less land and less manure with less effort is a challenge,” he said and urged farmers to take up mushroom cultivation.

Information Dept. Asst. Director G. Chandrakantha launched the training programme.

Asst. Horticulture Officer Narayan welcomed, Assistant Horticulture Officer (Technical) Pooja and others were present.

More than 100 participants of the training programme were given a demonstration of mushroom cultivation.

source: http://www.StarofMysore.com / Home> General News / March 11th, 2013

Not just for carpenters

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy

WoodmuseumBF11mar2013

Valuable material: Malleswaram’s Wood Museum and Interpretation Centre is a repository of knowledge about wood./  Photo: S. Mohan Prasad / The Hindu

Malleswaram’s Wood Museum offers a 360-degree view of the humble material

If the signboards are tree-shaped, and the buildings bear slogans like “wood is good”, you’re likely to be at the Institute for Wood Science and Technology, an establishment dedicated to researching all things wood.

Located near Malleswaram 18th Cross, the Institute for Wood Science and Technology (IWST) also houses a Wood Museum and Interpretation Centre, a repository of knowledge about the material.

Walking through a museum devoted to wood might not sound like your idea of a fun afternoon, but this museum has something for everybody.

The first thing that strikes you as you enter the museum is a section of a giant tree trunk. This enormous exhibit is detailed enough to allow you to view — and count — the growth rings that indicate the age of a tree; its age is estimated to be 780 years.

You then notice that the museum has detailed posters that trace the centrality of wood to civilisations. Heat was obtained from wood fires; fields were ploughed with wooden tools; structures were built with wood.

The museum was set up in January 2012, primarily to renew public attention to wood as a material, and to remedy the perception that there’s little to wood beyond being a ‘carpenter’s material’. “We do not value it since it is nature’s gift, but there’s a lot to be learnt about wood,” says Shakti Singh Chauhan, scientist at the IWST.

Trivia and oddities

Plenty of curiosities are on offer, perhaps too many, for the easily distracted: for instance, one particularly alluring section exhibits a visually fascinating variety of seeds of trees. Another section invites you to pick up slabs of wood from different trees — they’re all of the same size, but vary dramatically in weight. (If only I had been taught high school science with such hands-on exercises.)

There are also many stray facts to collect, did-you-know style, should you be so inclined. Take, for instance, the fact that trees can get as short as one to six centimetres, as in the world’s shortest tree species, the dwarf willow.

At the same time, with posters and exhibits that describe the chemistry and biology of wood, there’s enough detailed, specific knowledge for the scientifically inclined.

source: http://www.TheHindu.com / Home> News> Cities> Bangalore / by Neha Mujumdar / March 06th, 2013

Indelible ink to make the mark once again

Business & Economy

Mysore. Mar. 5 :

It is election time and as usual, the Mysore Paints and Varnish Limited (popularly known by its old name as MYLAC) is in the news again for its indelible ink — the industry that produces the ink that is marked on the fingers of voters across the country, wherever election is being held — may it be the Lok Sabha or the Assembly or even the election for civic bodies.

“For the Mysore City Corporation (MCC) election to be held on Thursday, the 7th of March, the MYLAC industry has supplied 24,000 vials of the indelible ink. The ink which appears purple in colour when being applied, turns black after drying,” said MYLAC Managing Director Hemanth Kumar and added that a 10 ml vial costs Rs. 142. The industry has also supplied 250 pieces of wax for sealing the Electronic Voting Machines.

Hemanth Kumar said that the industry is well prepared to supply the indelible ink and wax seals for the Assembly election scheduled to take place during May 2013.

MYLAC will be supplying 18,500 vials of indelible ink to Tripura, Meghalaya and Nagaland States for their Assembly elections and another 64,000 vials for the urban local bodies election in Punjab.

MYLAC, an industry which is a pride for Mysore, has been making profits ever since its inception. According to the latest statistics available, MYLAC is making an average profit of Rs. 2 crore per annum and the total profit earned in the past years is Rs. 12 crore, according to Hemanth Kumar.

MYLAC also supplies the indelible ink to countries like Cambodia, Ghana, Malaysia and South Africa.

MYLAC is also credited with supplying the glossy paint for Airavata buses of the KSRTC.

source: http://www.StarofMysore.com / Home> General News / March 05th, 2013

Indo-Canadian workshop on training health professionals in suicide prevention held

Business & Economy, Science & Technology, World Opinion

CanadianBF07mar2013

Caption: Dr.G.M. Vamadeva is seen addressing the gathering yesterday.

Mysore, Mar. 1 :

The Department of Psychiatry, JSS Medical College, in association with Schullich University of Medicine & Dentistry, Canada conducted a one-day workshop on Training Health Professionals in Suicide Prevention at Sri Rajendra Auditorium in JSS Hospital premises here yesterday.

The workshop was attended by nearly 200 health professionals including Psychiatrists, Physicians, Family Physicians, General Practitioners, Auyrveda Practitioners, Psychologist, Social Workers & Nursing staff from JSS Medical College, JSS Nursing School and College, Mysore Medical College, Mandya Institute of Medical Sciences and Mysore University. It was inaugurated by dignitaries — JSS Medical College Principal Dr.H. Basavannagowdappa, Senior Journalist Niranjan Nikam, Mysore District Surgeon Dr.G.M.Vamadeva, JSS Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr. M. Guruswamy, JSS Mahavidyapeeta Medical Education Director R.Mahesh, Head of the Department of Psychiatry Prof.T.S.S.Rao and Dr. Amresh Srivastava, Dr.Paul Links and Dr.Rahel Eynan from Canada.

The dignitaries emphasised the need for such workshop as suicide is one of the leading causes of preventable death. They also noted the importance of personal narratives in fighting the stigma associated with seeking help, initiatives from the government to tackle the issue, the greater role of public & media in creating awareness and relevance of sharing the experiences for effective strategies in prevention of suicide.

The first session was on the role of family physicians and other health professionals in suicide prevention by Prof. T.S.S. Rao, who said that south India was noted across the world as suicide prone region and it was crucial that family physicians should be aware of the risk factors and protective factors.

The second session was by Dr.Paul Links on Clinical Manifestations and Causes of Suicide Behaviour. He emphasised the need to recognise suicidal behaviour at early stages and relevance of psychiatric disorders which increases the risk of suicide. The third session was by Consultant Psychiatrist at JSS, Dr.M. Kishor on Psychosocial Factors, in which he appealed for individualising risk assessment based on psychosocial factors. He also highlighted the need for health professionals’ awareness about culture and socio-economic conditions.

The session was followed by role play, coordinated by Dr.Sam Manickam on effective ways of communication by health professionals during interaction with patients. Interactive session with audience coordinated by Dr. Amaresh, Dr. Paul Links and Dr.Rahel Eynan.

source: http://www.StarofMysore.com / Home> General News / March 01st, 2013

Natl. award for city entrepreneur

Business & Economy, Leaders, Records, All

PattabiBF05mar2013

Caption: J.B. Pattabi (3rd from left), MD of Pattabi Enterprises, Mysore, is seen receiving the Award from Namo Narain Meena, Minister of State for Finance Expenditure and Financial Services, at a function in Delhi as Vandita Sharma, MD, Karnataka State Financial Corporation; Yaduvendra Mathur, President, COSIDICI, Chairman and MD, Rajasthan Financial Corporation, Jaipur and Sushil Muhnot, Chairman and MD, SIDBI, India, look on.

Mysore, Feb.28 :

City’s entrepreneur J.B. Pattabi, MD, Pattabi Enterprises, has been honoured with the National Award as an Outstanding Entrepreneur by the Council of State Industrial Development and Investment Corporation of India (COSIDICI) for excellence in printing industry. The award was presented at a function held in Scope Complex, New Delhi, recently.

Pattabi has made a name in the printing industry for the past two decades. In 2008, he was awarded with Best Printing National Award at Kolkata and as Outstanding Entrepreneur by Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Council at New Delhi and again in 2009 he got National Award for Outstanding Entrepreneur from Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh in Delhi.

source: http://www.StarofMysore.com / Home> General News / February 28th, 2013

A yen for fashion

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy

DivyaBF03mar2013

A self-proclaimed advocate of art and fashion, young entrepreneur Divya Gupta’s vision to give Bengaluru’s fashion quotient a label boost, is set to come to fruition, come March 9. Hailing from the culture-rich Kolkata, Divya moved here in late 2009, and to her dismay, found that the city was simply not up to mark in the art and design departments. A few years on, Paraphernalia 2013 —  is set to give Bengalureans a fair dose of niche and novel products. We speak to the Purdue graduate about the show, her vision for a style-savvy city and her entrepreneurial dreams.

For the astute biz-brain, the show is a platform for young, upcoming designers and entrepreneurs to showcase their products. “And it is unique because all the participants are handpicked,” starts off Divya, “We’ve gone around and seen a lot of the exhibitors, some of the products I’ve used personally, or I check them out online, before getting them on board.” Naturally, one would assume the entrepreneur has solid experience in design. But, that is not so. “I am a Bachelor of Science in management and finance. I was in the US for five years, where I studied and worked for a while. Then, I was in the Middle East for a year. This exposed me to a lot of different fashion sensibilities,” she says, adding, “And then, there’s the fact that I grew up in Kolkata, a major cultural hub, and hotbed for designers.” But, when she came to the city, she found that there was a dearth of fashion labels. “The kind of exhibitions here are different from the ones in Mumbai and Kolkata, where there are highly exclusive shows,” she points out.

After her move here, she was always on the lookout for entrepreneurial opportunities, not wanting to continue in the Big Four sphere. “When I worked in MNCs like KPMG and PWHC, as a management consultant, I had access to a wide range of industries, including fashion. Paraphernalia seemed like the perfect way to kick start on my own independently,” she admits. She makes it a point to add, “It is not just solely interest in art or fashion that has created the event. But, it really boils down to business acumen. The passion is there, of course — it is what helped me diversify.”

So, what is her vision, to give Bengaluru a stylish makeover? “This is a very young city, a very cosmopolitan city. People are open to different kinds of fashion— in fact, I see a lot of Mumbai in Bengaluru. My vision is to give the city more variety, keeping in mind traditions and tastes,” she gushes.Divya doesn’t want to look too much into the future now, wanting instead to just see how her impending show is received. “Depending on how it takes off, and based on my goals and objectives, I want to make this a biannual event, ” she explains.

source: http://www.DeccanChronicle.com / Home> LifeStyle> Fashion / DC, by Anusha Vincent / March 02nd, 2013

TCS Tech Bytes in Karnataka

Business & Economy, Education, Science & Technology

Bangalore , MAR 1:

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) and the Karnataka Board for IT Education Standards (KBITES), an autonomous agency for the promotion of IT education, will roll out the fourth edition of the Engineering IT Quiz – TCS Tech Bytes.

The quiz is open to engineering students (BE/BTech) of all streams in Karnataka. N. Ganapathy Subramaniam, President – TCS Financial Solutions said, “TCS TechBytes encourages participants to develop an understanding of technology in a changing landscape.

The programme aims at fostering lateral thinking and teamwork among students, underlining that learning is a continuous process for one to excel in a competitive environment.”

source: http://www.TheHinduBusinessLine.com / Home> News> Education / by The Hindu Bureau / Bangalore, March 01st, 2013

Bengaluru at heart of corridors of growth

Business & Economy

pcBF03mar2013

New Delhi:

 Buoyed by rapid progress of the Delhi Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC) project, the government on Thursday said work on two more industrial corridors between Bengaluru and Chennai and Bengaluru and Mumbai have started.

Finance minister P Chid­a­mbaram said in his budget speech that the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) and the Japan International Coope­r­ation Agency (JICA) were currently preparing a comprehensive plan for the Che­n­nai-Bengaluru Industrial Corridor.

The corridor wo­uld be developed in collaboration with the governments of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, he said, adding also preparatory work on the next corridor, Bengaluru-Mumbai Ind­u­strial Corridor, has begun.

Chidambaram said that DMIC project has made rapid progress and plans for seven new cities on the corridor have been finalised.

Acknowledging the support of the Japanese government, the Finance Minister said, “In order to dispel any doubt about funding, the Government would provide, if required, additional funds during 2013-14 from its share in the overall outlay for the project.”

Karnataka’s share will come down: Jagadish Shettar

The Union Budget presented by Finance minister P. Chidambaram is a lackluster one without any effective measures to revive the sluggish economy of the country. It is anti-growth and anti-development. The economy is facing stagnation following global financial downturn.

The growth of agriculture, manufacturing and service sectors has declined and employment opportunities have reduced. In this background, it was expected that the Union Finance Minister would include necessary schemes and programmes to revive the economy, but this expectation has not been fulfilled.

Due attention has not been given to improve basic infrastructure. We had sought Central support to improve the infrastructure of Bengaluru, but nothing has been forthcoming. During the current financial year, the State’s share in Central taxes is indicated to come down by 3.4%. As a result, Karnataka will get Rs 400 crore less than the budget estimates in financial year 2012-13.

Further, Central assistance for State plan is expected to come down by Rs 18,000 crore, which is 14% of the Budget estimates. As a result, Karnataka will get Rs 1,000 crore less than the budget estimates in FY 2012-13.

No fresh funds have been released for the last three years under PMGSY scheme to States like Karnataka which have successfully implemented it.

source: http://www.DeccanChronicle.com / Home> News> Current Affairs / by DC / March 01st, 2013

Puttur: Women power rules in Bajattoor gram panchayat

Business & Economy

Puttur, Feb 28:

Even as concerns are raised about the safety of women in the coastal region, especially in the light of recent cases of rapes and murders, a small village in Puttur has set an example of women power to the rest of the world.

Bajattoor village in Puttur taluk is governed by women who occupy most of the administrative positions. Here, panchyat president, vice-president, development officer, secretary, staff, librarian, taluk panchayat member, and the school principal are all women.

In the present society, dominated by men, Bajjathur village is a role model. The village has nurtured many important political personalities and is a peaceful place. Panchayat president Vijaya Damodhar and vice-president Lalitha, were elected under the women reservation quota.

B Shashikala is working as PDO in this panchayat while Chandravathi was appointed as secretary. Bharathi is the clerk while Mamatha is the computer operator and Savitha is the librarian.

All the gram panchayat positions are shared by women. Mallika from this village was elected to the taluk panchayat and the nearby school principal is Chitravathi. All prominent positions are occupied by women who are ably discharging their duties.

source: http://www.DaijiWorld.com / Home / by Arun Uppinangady / Daijiworld Media Network – Puttur (DV) / February 28th, 2013