Category Archives: Inspiration/ Positive News and Features

His disability has made him a stronger individual

Business & Economy, Inspiration/ Positive News and Features
Darshan is seen in his paper plates manufacturing unit located at Bannimantap.
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

Philanthropy has to be spontaneous, can’t be forced: Azim Premji

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Inspiration/ Positive News and Features, Leaders, Records, All, Science & Technology

New Delhi :

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.

PremjiBF07oct2013

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

Eminent engineers felicitated

Business & Economy, Inspiration/ Positive News and Features, Leaders, Records, All, Science & Technology
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.
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

The entrepreneurial spirit that doesn’t deter these two women from selling food on the streets

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Inspiration/ Positive News and Features

I was strolling down the lanes of an upcoming Bangalore suburb when I came across a stall run by two women selling food items. They were very well dressed and if they stood in a crowd, no one could pick them apart from the regular IT crowd in Bangalore. And the surprising part is that they are IT Professionals. Well, atleast one of them still is while the other quit her job 3 years ago.

(L to R) Divya Anne Joseph, Cheryl George, Anto Roy
(L to R) Divya Anne Joseph, Cheryl George, Anto Roy

The two women in question are Cheryl George and Divya Anne Joseph who both were in their typical IT jobs when they felt this pang to do something more. Acting on their gut, they decided to work to their strength which was cooking and setup a stall outside their building in February 2013. Their friend Anto Roy also joined them with the endeavor. They tried the mobile stall concept to begin with but half of their day went in just explaining what they were doing and they weren’t seeing many returns. Hence they decided to stick to one place and setup the stall outside their building.

They have a Facebook Page where they update the menu (usually snacks and light dinner items) and stand on the streets, alongside the coconut vendor and others to sell their items. And it’s not something they did for a few weeks. The team of three have persisted and it’s been more than 6 months now where they stand out (in all weathers) and take in the joy of serving. “We’re not doing this for money or to build a grand business, we’re doing it for the joy we get out of it,” says Cheryl.

The ladies cook at their home and the three of them then bring the items to the stall in their cars. Anto Roy handles the other stall and the two stall together are serving around 80-90 customers every day. They call themselves ‘Street Eats’ and their average ticket size is around INR 50.

Divya is into this fulltime while Cheryl still holds her job. They don’t have immediate plans to scale and formalize but are taking it as it comes. “We’re really enjoying what we are doing and the kind of people we’re meeting everyday is just phenomenal!” says the team in chorus.

This is the kind of spirit that thrills us here at YourStory and gives us the motivation to go out there discover more such interesting people. Follow StreetXEats on Facebook.

source: http://www.yourstory.in / Your Story / Home / by Jubin Mehta / August 10th, 2013

She sets her sights on a better future for the disabled

Amazing Feats, Inspiration/ Positive News and Features, Records, All
Recipient of UN’s ‘Youth Courage Award for Education’ Ashwini Angadi during an interaction in Bagalkot on Friday
Recipient of UN’s ‘Youth Courage Award for Education’ Ashwini Angadi during an interaction in Bagalkot on Friday

Ashwini Angadi from Bellary district, who shared United Nations ‘Youth Courage Award for Education’ with Malala Yousufzai, stressed on the role of education in improving the lives of differently abled.

Despite being born blind, she is a crusader for the welfare of the disabled. Angadi, who was in Bagalkot on Friday, interacted with journalists at Basaveshwara Science college. “I had heard of Malala, but had never seen her. I got an opportunity to meet her personally and share the dais with her at the award ceremony,” she gushed.

Ashwini also recalled with gratitude Malala’s words to her: “You (Ashwini) are an inspiration for the whole world as despite your disability, you have been fighting for the betterment of the differently-abled.”

That programme accorded me a platform to share my views with UN General Secretary Ban Ki Moon, Gorden Brown and other dignitaries, said Angadi.

After the recognition, Angadi feels that her responsibilities have only increased but her feisty persona is determined to live beyond expectations. Angadi works as a national facilitator of the Bangalore-based NGO Leonard Cheshire Disability Centre and tours the country to motivate the differently-abled. Angadi said that she had met CM Siddaramaiah after receiving the award and he appreciated her cause.

Prakash and Vedavati — Ashwini’s parents, CGC Chairman Ashok Sajjan, principal S C Danreddi and prof V S Katagihallimath were present.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Karnataka / by Express News Service – Bangalore / August 10th, 2013

Son of Esoor, India’s first free village, talks

Amazing Feats, Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Inspiration/ Positive News and Features, Leaders, Records, All
Freedom fighter Huchcharayappa. (Express photo)
Freedom fighter Huchcharayappa. (Express photo)

He is 110 years old. But he is not tired of speaking about Mahatma Gandhi, the freedom struggle, his experiences in jail and the days when he was awarded the death penalty for killing government officials as part of the struggle.

He considers Gandhi as god and sings ballads on him and other leaders.

Freedom fighter Huchcharayappa from Esoor village in Shikaripur taluk, the first village in India to declare independence and form a local government in the 1940s, gets emotional when asked about the freedom movement. He has completed just his 3rd standard but speaks English, Hindi and Kannada fluently and recalls  each and every date.

He lost his right eye after a policeman hit him during the struggle, but says, “I lost one eye. My friends lost their lives for our freedom.”

As part of the Independence Day celebrations, Express spoke to Huchcharayappa. Some excerpts:

“The Sahukar Basavanyappa family in Esoor had been supporting the freedom movement. Knowing this, the British set his house ablaze. It burned for weeks and was reduced to ashes. They raped women, robbed houses, assaulted people. When an inspector and Amaldar insulted freedom fighters, the fighters forced them to wear Gandhi topis. The police lathi-charged us and opened fire. Paniyappachar, Gurushantappa and Kenche Gowda were injured. The situation went out of control and the fighters killed the inspector and Amaldar. After this, the British exploited the villagers, including the women and children.”

“The British deployed 500 men to quell protests. Many people escaped. I was arrested and put in Sagar jail. Some 22 fighters were given life imprisonment, while 11, including me, sentenced to death. But our advocates went to the High Court where six people were given death penalty and the rest life imprisonment. Judge Yarlu had pronounced the verdict on March 1, 1943. We were released on October 26, 1946,  as a daughter was born to the Mysore Maharaja.”

‘’When Gandhi visited Shimoga, I was young. We used to inspire others through ballads, songs and dramas. When Gandhi called for the Quit India movement, we declared Esoor independent. When Gandhi was shot dead, people, including women,  committed suicide as they considered him god.’’

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home>  States> Karnataka /  by Jagadeesh Sampalli / ENS – Shimoga / August 15th, 2013

Mangalore: Multi-talented Poorvi Rao achieves big at small age

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Inspiration/ Positive News and Features

Mangalore :

Multi-talented Poorvi K Rao has earned several feathers to her cap at a young age. A bundle of talents, Poorvi, a class 3 student of Mount Carmel School, has made achievements in dance, singing, fancy dress and several other fields.

She started learning dancing at the age of 2 and has bagged several prizes. She won her first big award in the ‘Champion of Champions’ competition, organized by Future Group at Big Bazaar in the year 2010. With this victory, she got a chance to become model for a cloth store ‘Costume Cottage’. Thereafter, her bag of achievements never stopped filling.

In 2010, she won the JC Princess crown at the JC Prince Princess competition held at Town Hall.

In 2011, she was awarded ‘Little Master Mangalore – 2011’ award at Big Bazaar. In 2011, she bagged the first place in ‘Shri Krishna Vesha Competition’ organized by Kalkura Prathistana held at Kadri Temple and bagged second place along with her mother in national level ‘Yashoda Krishna’ competition.

The judges lauded her dancing skills in the ETV dance reality competition ‘D’. She was one among the five contestants to reach the finals and performed Western, Bollywood, classical, semi-classical, Kathak and Tappanguchi. Presently she is hosting the show ‘Putaani Bataani’ in Sahaya TV. She was also featured in programmes on Kannada channels. She has participated in ‘Chinnara Chilipili’ Udaya TV programme.

Mangalore’s singing and cultural committee, Samatha Balaga Mangalore, Shaastri Pratishtana Kulai, Lions Club Mangalore, Subramanya Sabha Sadhana Mangalore, Oceans Friends Club Aakashbhavan, Kadri Friends Mangalore and other organizations have honoured her.

She was awarded the ‘Yuva Prathibhe’ award by Lions Club Mangalore in 2011-12. She has won more than 175 awards. Aamir Khan is her favourite actor, and she herself is called ‘Choti Madhuri Dixit’. She is learning western dance from Boyzone Dance acadamey and is trained by Prathima Shreedhar for classical dance.

source: http://www.daijiworld.com / DaijiWorld.com / Home> Top Stories / Daijiworld Media Network  – Mangalore / Tuesday, July 30th, 2013

Teacher carries water 22 km for students

Education, Inspiration/ Positive News and Features
Students at the Doni Thanda school —DC
Students at the Doni Thanda school —DC

Hubli: 

Wary of her students fall­ing ill because of the high fluoride content in the vill­age water, the headmi­s­t­r­ess of a government prim­ary school in Doni Thanda, a hamlet in Gadag district has been carrying 18 litres of purified water over 22 km  to cook the mid-day meal for them. She has also been bearing the expenses from her pocket.

Doni Thanda and adjacent villages have no acc­ess to pure drinking water. “Around 30 students in our school suffer from stunted growth of their arms because of the consumption of water with high fluoride,” said headmistress Anusuya Thu­ppad of the Doni Thanda school.

She won’t let her 30 students suffer

The headmistress of a government primary school in the hamlet of Doni Thanda in Gadag district has been carrying 18 litres of purified water over 22 kms to cook the mid-day meal and provide students with drinking water, bearing the entire cost from her own pocket as the high fluoride content in the village water makes it unfit for consumption.

The problem is not confined to Doni Thanda, however, as several schools in the adjacent villages of Dindur, Attikatti, Singatarayankere too have no access to pure drinking water, making their students vulnerable to all kinds of ailments.

“Around 30 students in our school are suffering from significant  loss of growth in their arms as a result of their dependance on high fluoride containing water. And two months ago the classrooms had to be turned into a hospital for hundreds of villagers suffering from dengue, and malaria.

The education department is paying Rs 220 a month to provide drinking water to 166 students of the school, but this is hardly adequate as we need more than 100 litres of purified water every day for cooking the mid-day meal. We have  not received any response to our appeal for a  water filter kit either,” said headmistress Anusuya Thuppad of the Doni Thanda school.

Blaming the  stunted growth of arms seen among  some of the children on malnutrition , district health officer,  B V Chennashetti , explains that fluoride content in water can affect people’s bones and teeth. But ask Gadag Zilla Panchayat CEO,  V G Turamuri and he claims arrangements have been made to supply purified water to all schools.

source: http://www.deccanchronicle.com / Deccan Chronicle / Home> News> Current Affairs / by Vittal Shastri, DC / August 03rd, 2013

Karnataka scores on rehabilitation of disabled

Amazing Feats, Inspiration/ Positive News and Features, Records, All, Science & Technology

Karnataka has become the first state in the country to establish rehabilitation centres for the disabled in all districts, said State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, K V Rajanna, here on Thursday.

Speaking to reporters here, Rajanna said: “Just three years ago, there was only one centre for the rehabilitation of the disabled in the state and now there are 30. Fourteen technically qualified staffers are employed at these centres and seven specialists are engaged whenever necessary. Now there are sufficient human, technical and monetary resources to address the problems of the differently-abled.”

Rajanna said 3 per cent of jobs for people with disabilities are being reserved in different government departments, gram panchayats, taluk panchayats and zilla panchayats after persistent efforts. However, timely follow-up is required to ensure that it is implemented, he said.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Karnataka / by Express News Service – Bangalore / August 02nd, 2013

Police Commissioner fetes brave trio

Amazing Feats, Inspiration/ Positive News and Features, Records, All
City Police Commissioner Dr. M. A. Saleem is seen distributing certificates of appreciation to the three alert citizens (from left) Raghu Kumar, Manjunath and Mohammed Nayaz at his office yesterday as CAR DCP R. Prabhashankar looks on.
City Police Commissioner Dr. M. A. Saleem is seen distributing certificates of appreciation to the three alert citizens (from left) Raghu Kumar, Manjunath and Mohammed Nayaz at his office yesterday as CAR DCP R. Prabhashankar looks on.

Mysore :

City Police Commissioner Dr. M.A. Saleem yesterday distributed certificates of appreciation to three alert citizens Raghu Kumar, an engineering student, Mohammed Nayaz, a businessman of Gayatripuram and Manjunath, a cook at the City Dog Squad, who displayed exemplary courage in nabbing a fleeing chain-snatcher in the city on Wednesday.

It may be recalled that the trio had chased and apprehended Mahesh, who was fleeing after snatching gold chain from Indravathi, a housewife near Chamundi Vihar Stadium in Nazarbad Police limits on Wednesday in broad daylight.

Dr. Saleem further explained that 65 cases of chain snatching had been reported in the city over the past six months alone and added that the accused had been arrested in two cases.

He further said that measures had been initiated to check crimes as done in Bangalore South division by deploying 65 Police personnel on night patrolling.

He also added that it has been decided to enroll Traffic Wardens who will be deputed to man traffic at important junctions for at least four hours in a week.

CID to probe Green Buds case

The City top cop further said that Criminal Investigation Department (CID) will probe the cases relating to the alleged cheating of thousands of investors by Green Buds Agro Farms. He said that cases of cheating against MD of the firm B.L.Ravindranath had been registered at various districts in the State besides Mysore city which necessitated a CID probe.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / July 26th, 2013