Category Archives: Business & Economy

Karnataka Govt to pilot remote healthcare in Chitradurga

Business & Economy, Science & Technology

The Government of Kartanaka in collaboration with Cisco has launched some pilot program to enable remote healthcare for one primary healthcare center and one community healthcare center from Chitradurga District of Karnataka.

With the intiative that aims to bridge the urban- rural gap, the residents of Chitradurga can get access to essential urban services like healthcare, education, a marketplace and access to public services.The healthcare solution creates an environment where patients and doctors can meet each other virtually through video without having to commute long distances.

In the Chitradurga pilot, the healthcare solution will link Chitradurga District Hospital to one community healthcare centre at Bharamasagara in Chitradurga Taluk and one primary healthcare centre (PHC) at Mathode in Hosadurga Taluk. Patients visiting these two centers will have their vitals checked by the paramedic/nurse at the centre while the doctor at the district hospital provides consultation and diagnosis in real time. Leveraging Cisco technology and medical services provided by RxDx’s multi-specialty hospital in Bangalore,  remote consultation for over 1700 patients has been rendered.

Aravind Sitaraman, President, Inclusive Growth, Cisco” said” We are happy to collaborate with visionary governments like Karnataka in implementing the new wave of growth and enablement. This project marks significant progress towards the Inclusive Growth goal of using technology as the enabler to bridge urban-rural gap and Cisco’s vision of changing the way people work, live, play and learn.”

The proactive initiatives of the government of Karnataka to use Cisco technologies to provide remote healthcare is a positive step to leapfrog these challenges and bring about inclusive grow.

source: http://www.VoicenData.ciol.com / News and Views / Thursday, April 12th, 2012

Business school churns out women leaders

Business & Economy, Inspiration/ Positive News and Features, Uncategorized

New Delhi:

An Indian Business School has begun a novel course; one that will seek to churn out better and more women political leaders into the nation’s political arena.

The Center for Public Policy (CPP) at the Indian Institute of Management-Bangalore (IIM-B), along with the Center for Social Research (CSR) based in New Delhi, is now offering the nation’s first course in political leadership exclusively for women called the “India-Women in Leadership (IWIL) program”.

In a country whose political sphere is dominated by males and uneducated legislators, the move is seen as a huge step in the forward direction.

“IIM-B and CSR have launched this course jointly to build creative, knowledgeable and innovative women leadership. Investing in women through formal training will help in creating a pipeline of confident and successful women leaders,” Dr Ranjana Kumari the Director of CSR said.

The three month long course will include field visits to other countries such as Singapore, as well as visits to the nation’s political capital New Delhi, besides lectures. The first batch is scheduled to begin on July 16, this year.

India has a poor record when it comes to gender gap in politics. The World Economic Forum ranked India 24 out of 135 countries in its Gender Gap Index for women’s political participation.

“Not only are there too few women in Indian politics, but women also face different barriers in their quest to become leading politicians in India. Therefore, women in politics need specialized skills and strategies in order to win elections and pursue the policies that matter most to them”, said Dr Kumari.

The Indian government has been trying to pass the Women’s representation bill, which will guarantee 33% reservation to women legislators to make it to the state and central houses of people’s representatives.

The bill has however been caught up over differences between political parties.

BM

source: http://www.bikyamasr.com / Home> World> Asia / by Mayabhushan Nagvenar / April 11th, 2012

Toyota to assemble Camry in Bangalore

Business & Economy

Japanese auto major Toyota Kirloskar Motor Pvt Ltd is planning to assemble mid-class luxury sedan Camry at its Bangalore factory from July and expects to roll it out in August.

Speaking to reporters after flagging off Etios exports to South Africa for the first time, Sandeep Singh, deputy managing director (marketing), said so far the Camry had been imported. “Toyota’s plan is to start assembling at its Bangalore facility from July and to launch in August. We are on schedule,” he said.

Despite an increase in duty, the company decided to go ahead with the plan, while acknowledging a price impact. Singh said, till now, around 300 units of Camry in a year were imported.

“Our focus in India will be semi-urban and rural markets to support our growth,” he said. The company said the number of dealers would be increased from 173 to 225 by the year-end.

Commenting on the localisation, Singh said, Etios localisation was currently 70 per cent and it would be increased to 90 per cent over the next two years. Etios is the largest localised product for Toyota in India. Localisation in other models, like Innova and Fortuner, is around 50 per cent.

On the investment plan, Singh said as part of the Phase-II expansion, the company was planning to add 100,000 units by 2013 with an investment of around Rs 898 crore. This would add to a total capacity of around 310,000 units a year in Toyota’s two plants in Bangalore. It would also be investing around Rs 500 crore in engine and transmission facility. “Engine plant would commence by the third quarter of this year and transmission by January-March 2013,” Singh said.

Meanwhile, Toyota on Wednesday flagged off its first export consignment of 247 units of the Etios series to the South African market via Ennore port.

“We are planning to export 20,000 units annually only to South Africa from this year. Our focus will be only South Africa, for now,” added Hiroshi Nakagawa, managing director.

The export models of the Etios and Liva, in petrol variants, are built on the same platform as the original models, which are manufactured and sold in India. Etios is currently manufactured in Toyota’s second plant located in the Bidadi industrial area on the outskirts of Bangalore and the export model will also be manufactured in the same plant.

source: http://www.Business-Standard.com/ Home> Companies & Industry / by BS Reporter / Chennai / April 06th, 2012

 

State to get Rs 1,400 cr to upgrade highways

Business & Economy

Several proposals regarding construction of rural roads under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) from Karnatak pending before the Union ministry of rural development will soon be cleared. Union Minister for rural development Jairam Ramesh has promised to expedite the proposals favourably.

When the proposals are cleared Karnataka would get Rs 1400 crore for repair of nearly 4300 km of rural roads that have been constructed under PMGSY and now need repair.

The state had been pressing the Centre for funds to repair these roads under phase 3 but the Centre had been unresponsive. This had forced Karnataka rural development minister Jagadish Shettar to announce that the state government would take up the repair work under Chief Minister’s Gram Sadak Yojana (CMGSY).

Jairam Ramesh’s assurance came when Dharwad MP Prahlad Joshi met him at his office in New Delhi on Saturday and explained to him about the need to clear the pending proposals. Ramesh assured that he would take the MPs from Karnataka into confidence and help the state with necessary funds.

Prahlad Joshi also discussed about clearing several other proposals sent by the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj ministry in Karnataka. The state has sought clearance for construction of 5000 km rural roads at a cost of Rs 1982 crore in collaboration with Japan and construction of 76 CDs at a cost of Rs 52 crore among others.

This move by the Centre to hasten the development of highways in state comes a month after Karnataka CM D V Sadananda Gowda requested Road Transport and Highways Minister C P Joshi to consider extending the proposed Chennai-Bangalore Industrial Corridor upto Belgaum or Mangalore.

In a letter addressed to Joshi recently, Gowda said it is learnt that the Ministry was keen on developing Chennai-Bangalore industrial corridor on the lines of Delhi-Mumbai industrial corridor.

But the State Government is of the view that the proposed Chennai-Bangalore industrial corridor would not be of much use to Karnataka if it is not extended further from Bangalore to Belgaum or to Mangalore, he said.

“I, therefore request you to consider the development of Chennai-Bangalore industrial corridor on the lines of Delhi-Mumbai industrial corridor and extend it further upto Belgaum or up to Mangalore”, he had said.

AIRPORT:
The work on upgrading Hubli airport to international level would be completed in the next two years according to Airport Authority of India chairman V P Agarwal. Once the works are completed the airport will be ready to facilitate operation of airbuses and other big aircrafts.

The Karnataka government has acquired additional 600 acres of land around the airport in Hubli and handed it over to AAI for development of airport.

Dharwad MP Prahlad Joshi met Agarwal at New Delhi last week and urged him to complete the work at the earliest. Responding to Joshi’s request, Agarwal said the AAI had taken up the work at a cost of Rs 160 crore and the work would be expedited.

Already the AAI has fenced the area spending Rs 8 crore. Other works like construction of runway, control tower, new lounge, terminal, survey of obstruction and soil testing would be completed soon.

At the first stage the work on infrastructure like voice communication system (VCS), digital airport information service, automation of air traffic services, Doppler Very High Frequency Omni RangeôDistance Measuring Equipment (DVOR/DME) is on the verge of completion according to Agarwal.

The Karnataka government in the recent past has been increasing its focus on upgrading highways in the state and as part of this effort had approved a proposal to upgrade 3,411 km of state highways with a total investment of Rs 2,150 crore over the next three years. Of the cost, the loan component from the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank is Rs 1,565 crore and Rs 585 crore, respectively.

source: http://www.Business-Standard.com / Home>  Economy & Policy / by Gururaj Jamkhandi / Chennai / Dharwad / April 06th, 2012

XLRI award for Narayana Murthy

Business & Economy, Leaders, Records, All, Science & Technology
Kolkata, MARCH 30:

XLRI School of Business and Human Resources, Jamsedhpur, will confer the Sir Jehangir Ghandy Medal to Infosys Technologies chairman emeritus and chief mentor, Mr N.R. Narayana Murthy, during its annual convocation.

The Sir Jehangir Ghandy Medal for Social and Industrial Peace is awarded to heroic leaders who have contributed towards the growth of their respective organisations.

Mr Jaspal Singh Bindra, group executive director and chief executive officer, Asia, Standard Chartered, will be present as chief guest at the convocation.

source: http://www.TheHinduBusinessLine.com / Industry & Economy / by Hindu Bureau / March 30th, 2012

How the rulers ensured orderly growth for Mysore

Business & Economy, Historical Links, Pre-Independence

When Mysore was taking steps to check haphazard growth, the municipal body helped the administrators deliver it. And the rulers put in charge some of the finest administrators to lead the municipal body, earning it an honour of sorts: Two dewans of Mysore state headed the municipal body before they rose to the head of the princely state.It’s been 150 years to the municipal administration in the princely town which has evolved into a mini-metro, and flipping through the pages of history reveal some interesting details. When Maharaja Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar was ruling the state, the government started the practice of appointing an administrator to lead the five-decades-old municipal body, which had elected representatives, to manage the affairs, indicating its seriousness about the growth of the city.

In 1906 — when the practice was started — the administrators named M Kantharaj Urs as the president of the municipal council, who was at the helm of affairs till 1910. The able administrator later went on to become the dewan in 1918, a post he held till 1922. He had served as the deputy commissioner of Mysore among other important assignments before being tasked to manage the municipal affairs of Mysore. Between 1924 and 1927, N Madhava Rao headed the administration at the municipal council, and was elevated to be dewan in 1941. Rao was appointed as chief secretary after he moved out of the municipal, council and later became a member of Rajya Sabha. At one point, the president of the municipal body was also heading the City Improvement Trust Board set up in 1902 to ensure that the city’s growth gets a unified command.Interestingly, when the instructions were issued for the constitution of a municipal body in April 1861, the town’s population was 45,000.

Mummudi Krishnaraja Wadiyar was the ruler then. The instruction specified that people should be consulted on works to be implemented and about the tax structure and that they should also have a say in the administration (by giving representation to people). To give effect to these principles, a committee was formed in July 1862, which eventually got Mysore municipal administration. The committee was headed by superintendent of the Ashtagram division. Five officials and three non-officials were appointed as members. The panel included a Hindu and a Muslim and the official members included the executive engineer, the amildar of Mysore taluk and Sar Ameen of Mysore.Surprisingly, the tax to maintain sanitation was abolished while the improvement of the roads and drains received primary attention.

T G Lakshmana Rao, who served as the president of the municipal council in 1914, notes in his work ‘Handbook of the City of Mysore’ that “a market was also constructed and some street lights provided.” According to him, within eight years from the setting up of the body, the resources started to flow as the Mysore government asked the civic body to collect property tax with a rider that town police wing should be looked after by it. Within a span of 10 years, revenue of the body, which was Rs 25,000 in 1862, doubled. By 1890-91, the civic body started to extend grants-in-aid to educational institutions.It was the civic body that decongested Mysore Fort removing the houses inside. In 1888, the municipal body was given legal framework by Maharaja Chamaraja Wadiyar. The then dewan was K Seshadri Iyer.

After Independence, the practice of appointing president to head the body was done away with and P Seetharamaiah was elected president (1948). Shortly after the body turned 100, it got a woman president — Soundaramma Venkatesh — in 1963.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / Home> City> Mysore / by H M Aravind / TNN / April 01st, 2012

JK Tyres, Ranga Rao & Sons, Biligiri Granites win State Export Awards

Business & Economy, Records, All

Mysore, Mar. 21-

The State Export Awards have been bagged by city-based JK Tyres, N. Ranga Rao & Sons and Biligiri Granites of Chamarajanagar for having exported the maximum quantity of products in the State.

The awards will be given away by Chief Minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda and Industries Minister Murugesh Nirani today at a programme to be held at Capitol Hotel in Bangalore at 5.30 pm.

During 2009-10 and 2010-11, the awards were bagged by J.K. Tyres and Ranga Rao & sons. They have bagged the awards for the third time in a row.

source: http://www.StarofMysore.com / General News / March 21st, 2012

 

An Entrepreneur with a Difference

Business & Economy, Inspiration/ Positive News and Features, Science & Technology

“I Can,” says Pandu Ranga Rao

By S. Kenneth Shishir


 

The problems faced by the disabled is gaining more and more importance all over the world. The government of India and also State governments have lent a helping hand to the differently abled by framing various policies like reservation in jobs, concession in traveling, special training institutions etc.

However, a major role is played by the family members who need to fill the affected person with strength to face the world. Here is the story of one such person who has gone beyond his disability and is telling the world “I Can.”

Meet Pandu Ranga Rao, a young entrepreneur who wants to take the world of web and software to new horizons.

Born to Sunanda and Nara-yan Rao couple on Aug. 24, 1975, he was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, a disorder of movements, at birth. His brave parents did not lose heart and got him admitted to a normal school.

Speaking to Star of Mysore, Pandu Ranga Rao said that tho-ugh he completed SSLC with flying colours, it was difficult for him to enter PUC. His mother got him admitted to CPC Polytechnic and he later obtained B.Sc. in Information Technology from KSOU.

After completing his Diploma in Computer Science from CPC Polytechnic, he joined as a Lab Instructor in JSS Polytechnic for Differently Abled in SJCE campus here. While working there, he developed two softwares for JSS Polytechnic and gained vast experience at Excel Soft Technologies.

He says that he is grateful to D. Sudhanva, Managing Director of the company, for his encouragement to develop softwares on his own and added that he never went to any special classes but learnt through the opportunities given at Excel Soft.

Pandu Ranga Rao says that he was humiliated a few times during his education and was frustrated with the experiences in life all because of him being specially abled. He says that he wanted to show the world that people like him can achieve anything and teachers should have an open mind and heart to help students like him.

While working as a Lab Instructor, he came across Yathish, who is also disabled. He involved Ya-thish in his activities of flash developing and founded the company I Can Technologies (www. icantech.in) which offers services like website development, web hosting, software development and product development.

Inspired by the TV show Kaun Banega Crorepathi, he develo-ped a small programme called Quiz Master for a CD brought out by PC-Quest. He has also developed alerts which act as reminders of scheduled works on the computer desktop.

Pandu Ranga Rao says that he aims to provide jobs to people like him, not because they are disabled, but for their talents. He wants to help them enter into mainstream as they need more opportunities than sympathy.

He says that nothing is impossible and computers bore him to some extent. Smiling, he says he loves travelling.

Pandu Ranga Rao got married to Jyothi of Shimoga in 2011 and she has been supporting him in all his activities.

His mother Sunanda says that she faced a lot of problem in the beginning and it was a young doctor from All India Institute Of Physical Medicine And Rehabilitation, Mumbai, who advised her to admit Pandu Ranga Rao to a normal school. On his advice, she admitted him to a convent at Udupi. The teachers there said that she has to be with her son in the school for a few days as they needed time to study his behaviour.

Sunanda says she enjoyed being with him in the school during his studies. In 1985-86, they shifted to Mysore to provide him speech therapy at AIISH.

Pandu Ranga Rao is presently working from home as he cannot move about on his own.

He was honoured by AIISH on World Disability Day in 2006 and won the ‘Achiever Award’ by GSB Bankers Educational and Welfare Trust in 2008 apart from being felicitated during Teachers’ Day celebrations. He says that he is looking for a place to start an enterprise so that he can provide employment to persons like him.

I Can Technologies is presently running its own online tutorial (www.programming basics.in) in programming for children who want to be programmers. Product development is the key area of their focus and they will be developing and releasing a product which will target educational institutions. Through this, one can bring the entire student community and all their activities like payment of fees, borrowing of library books, etc. under one roof.

Pandu Ranga Rao can be contacted on 9341856071 or e-mail: info@icantech.in.

source: http://www.StarofMysore.com / Feature Article / March 05th, 2012

 

Fast-Track Boot Camp to Produce Skilled Software Engineers For Metro Detroit Region

Business & Economy, Science & Technology, World Opinion

Detroit, March 5, 2012  /PRNewswire/

A new IT boot-camp aimed at producing entry-level software engineers for the growing tech sector in metro Detroit will kick off March 12 at the Wayne County Community College District University Center, in Harper Woods.

The 18-week program is the result of a unique partnership between WCCCD and global IT consultancy, Infosys, Ltd.  Ranked by Forbes Magazine as one of the most innovative companies in the world, Infosys Ltd. serves Fortune 500 clients through a global network of 64 offices and 68 development centers in the U.S., India, China and across the globe.

WCCCD is the largest urban community college district in Michigan, with more than 70,000 students enrolled at its five campuses.

“This partnership is an opportunity to build strong career pathways in an important and growing sector of Wayne County’s economy,” said WCCCD Chancellor, Dr. Curtis L. Ivery.  “We’re excited about partnering with a global IT leader such as Infosys to help direct more people into rewarding information technology careers.”

The boot camp program will use methods developed at the Infosys Leadership Institute, Education and Training Center to train more than 14,000 entry level software engineers in Mysore, India. This will be the first time such a program has been offered in the United States. With Detroit as an emerging Information Technology hub, Infosys selected Wayne County Community College District as its educational partner to launch training in southeast Michigan.

Those interested in participating in the Boot Camp must call 313-496-2704 to register for one of two Infosys orientation sessions on Wednesday, March 7, 2012 or Tuesday, March 13, 2012 at WCCCD’s University Center, located at 19305 Vernier Road in Harper Woods, Michigan. Seats for this pilot program are limited and all participants must pass an aptitude assessment.

“This program not only provides a pathway to a better life for those that participate in it, but provides highly skilled and capable workers to a growing sector of our regional economy,” Ivery said. “Win-wins like this are a fundamental part of our mission, and we’re proud to participate in such a vital program with Infosys.”

About WCCCD: WCCCD , the largest urban community college in Michigan is a multi-campus district with five campus locations, University Center and the Michigan Institute for Public Safety Education (MIPSE), serving 32 cities and townships, spanning more than 500 square miles.  WCCCD is committed to the continued development of new programs, hosting community-based training sessions, improving student facilities and services.  For more information visit:  www.wccd.edu

source: http://www.Bradenton.com / Bradenton Herald / PR Newswire / by WCCCD / March 05th, 2012

Why drive when you can fly?

Business & Economy, Travel, Uncategorized

A microlite can take you to Mysore in less than an hour and cost just as little as a car

Since they don’t need a conventional runway, you can fly them almost anywhere

Some Bangaloreans are giving up long drives for flying in their own machines aka microlites. According to Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), microlites are defined as conventional two-seater planes that weigh less than 450 kg and are cleared for recreational flying and training.

Since they were introduced in 2000, the city has close to 50 microlite enthusiasts. Others are located in Coorg, Hassan and Mysore. City-based microlite trainer Javad Hassan travels to Mysore in less than an hour. All that he spends is 10 litres of petrol.
“In Bangalore, microlites are restricted to areas around Jakkur Flying School. There are no such restrictions in Mysore, Mangalore or Coorg,” explains Hassan.
Who can fly?

Flying a microlite requires a licence called PL(M) from the DGCA, which costs Rs 4 lakh. The eligibility criteria is 40 hours of flying experience. Candidates need to undergo a medical test and police verification, explains Hassan. Aero sports centres in Bangalore and Mysore offer 50-hour flying training programmes.
“Pricewise, there is no difference between a car and a microlite. For a good one, prices start at Rs 8 lakh. For those costing less, you do not even require a licence. Currently, close to 20 Bangaloreans own microlites while some prefer to take them on rent,” explains Hassan. 

‘They are sheer thrill’

These flying machines do not need a runway. They can take off or land even on a mud track, says an enthusiast.
Powered by petrol, they can take you to a height of 10,000 feet. “Alternatively, you can also fly just a metre above the ground or sea at 110 km/hr, which is more adventurous than flying at a higher altitude,” says Javad Hassan.
source: http://www.BangaloreMirror.com / Home> News> City> Story / by Niranjan Kaggere / Monday, March 05th, 2012