Monthly Archives: June 2011

Belgaum Teen for Special Olympics

Inspiration/ Positive News and Features, Sports, , ,

BELGAUM:

Nineteen-year-old  Atish Anil Jadhav from Belgaum has been selected for the Special Olympic World Summer Games  (SOWSG), to be held in Athens (Greece) from June 22-July 4. He is one among six players selected from India,, and the only one from Karnataka.

Atish will compete in the 50 meters butterfly and 400 meters freestyle event. The Indian team will undergo a pre-Olympic training camp in New Delhi from June 9-19 and will leave for Athens on June 20.

Atish is studying in Bodhini, a school for slow learners. He took to swimming in 2004, and has participated in five national swimming championships for the disabled and underprivileged. He is supported by LEAD – the Society for Development of Disabled and Underprivileged.

 

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / TNN/ Jun 06th, 2011

Farmer Develops Machine to cut Canes and Costs

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

BELGAUM:

Ashok Malagouda Patil, an organic farmer turned mechanical engineer has designed a new machine for sugarcane harvesting, which could be a panacea for the sugar industry hit by labour shortage.

A BSc (agriculture) holder, Patil has  developed the cane harvesting and conveyer machine and received patent for it. The machine has been developed targeting small and medium farmers, providing them with a low cost option to harvest their produce applying minimum number of labourers.

The new machine can bring down harvesting cost to just 25% of labour harvesting, claims Patil. At present, factories harvest sugarcane crop from the lands of farmers sending labour troops on their behalf. With the use of the new machine, they can get the work done with just a handful of workers, he said.

While a similar imported machine costs about Rs one crore, the indigenously developed machine will cost below Rs 25 crore. “Several multi-national companies have approached me for buying the machine. It will be made available in the market by next year,” said Patil.

Apart from being cost effective, the machine is efficient in terms of speed, and ground level cane cutting, in a variety of climates. Patil has also developed machines to cut one eyed cane, grass and bushes and for mixing molasses and organic fertilizer.

His decade long experience in the sugarcane industry came in handy for Patil while developing this unique machine. Hailing from Beniwad village in Hukkeri taluk, Patil who is now the managing director of Hiranyakeshi Sugar Factory in Sankeshwar, has developed three similar machines with various capacities of cane cutting. His 18.5 HP machine harvests four metric tonnes (MTs) of sugarcane in an hour and loads to truck automatically. Another 35HP machine harvests 10 MTs, while a 60HP machine harvests 12MTs in an hour.

Patil has received various awards from different institutions including the national award  for innovation in farming. Contact- 9448990860.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / by Ravi Uppar / TNN / June 07th, 2011

Puttur Students to take Green Ink Forward

Green Initiatives / Environment, Inspiration/ Positive News and Features, Science & Technology, , , , , , , ,

MANGALORE:

If green is the way forward, award-winning-students  N V Pramoda and C S Bhargava have inked a success story by bagging international award for developing eco-ink without any chemical or toxic substances.
Two students of Sri Ramakrishna High School in Puttur, bagged the third place in environment category at the  Intel  International Science and Engineering Fair (IISEF) held in Los Angeles, California, earlier this month.

This third place, which comes with a prize amount of $1,000, has the boys awash with idea on taking their project to the next level. “We want to continue our experiment and have plans to prepare ink for ballpoint pens, printing press and hair dyes,” Pramoda and Bhargava told TOI.

“We have already applied for patent for our innovation and will not part with the formula for the eco-ink,” Pramoda said.

The ink was developed from seeds of alale kayi (Chebulic myrobalan or Terminalia chebula), a tropical herb with properties to treat multiple diseases. The eco-ink is waterproof, cheaper and will not spread while used on paper. Just 60ml of this eco-ink will cost Rs 6 to manufacture, he said. The ink was developed using powdered Terminalia chebula seeds, water, glycerine, vinegar, acetone and seeds of semicarpus anacardium.

Principal H Shridhar Rai said: “There were 12,500 participants from 15 nations at IISEF. It is a commendable achievement that our students could bag an international award competing with participants from 15 nations,” Shridhar noted.

After participating in the state-level Science Congress, Pramoda and Bhargava were selected to participate in Initiative for Research and Innovation in Science National Science Fair, hosted by the department of science and technology, Intel and Confederation of Indian Industry at  Mumbai in November last year. The team was selected as one among top six teams from India in the event to participate in the IISEF.

Pramoda and Bhargava recall that it was Dinesh Nayak, green belt adviser to Mangalore Special Economic Zone Limited (MSEZL), who inspired them to invent the eco-ink. They have not forgetten the constant support extended by their teacher and guide Vasanthi. “It was a great experience because I had never dreamt of participating in ISEF,” said Pramoda.

 

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / by Vinobha K T / TNN / May 30th, 2011

Waste-Energy Plant to Tackle Garbage, Generate Power

Green Initiatives / Environment, Science & Technology, , ,

MANGALORE:

With inefficiency in garbage disposal, the world is walking towards a dead end, said K S Siva Prasad , chairman, Bangalore Blended Fuels (Pvt) Ltd, who has designed a waste-energy plant to tackle this problem. The plant that converts municipal solid waste into clean burning refuse derived fuel (RDF), could handle 700 tonnes of waste per day and generate 8MW of power.

Delivering a talk on `Green power from municipal waste,’ organized by Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industry here on Thursday, Siva Prasad said net savings in the capital utilization in an RDF plant is more than that of a thermal plant. The audio-visual presentation in the talk explained the different stages of waste treatment in the plant.

The garbage received at site undergoes three phases namely pre-combustion, combustion and post-combustion phase, by appropriate pollution abatement systems incorporated in the plan. With the installation of the RDF plant, there will be no waste accumulation, ground water contamination and there will be a decline in health hazards, he said.

Siva Prasad, later answering technical queries, explained the various stages of waste management of homogenizing waste products by passing it through various stages of combustion and abating harmful substance in waste including plastic, glass, metals and so on. Another question raised was how this waste plant is adaptable to Indian conditions, as the waste generated in Malaysia,  where the plant was successfully tested, is different form waste generated in India.

Another question raised by the audience was comparison of net saving capital utilization in the RDF plant to a thermal plant. Siva Prasad said that though installation cost of the RDF plant is costlier than a thermal plant, in the long run, a lot of energy is saved. Environmentalist and social activists shared their view on waste disposal in Mangalore.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / TNN / Jun 03rd, 2011

PNDS Bags Prestigious Karnataka State Environment Award for the Year

Green Initiatives / Environment, , , , ,

MANGALORE:

The Pilikula Nisarga Dhama Society(PNDS) has bagged the prestigious Karnataka State Environment award for the year 2010-11, for its service in the field of conservation of biodiversity of Western Ghats and Coastal Karnataka. The award consists of Rs 1 lakh cash prize and a certificate.

Chief minister B S Yeddyurappa presented the award to N S Channappa Gowda, chairman, PNDS, also the DK district deputy commissioner and J R Lobo, executive director of the society, on Sunday atBangalore.

Lobo said that the society is developing Pilikula Project in 370 acres. It has developed a botanical garden in 80 acres with rare and endangered species of Western Ghats and also Ashokavana, Bamboo grove with more than 27 species of bamboo, canes, medicinal plants, and a botanical garden of rare and endangered species. It has a zoological garden with rare species of animals and reptiles and birds. Most of the animals and reptiles are breeding.

Pilikula Society has conducted a number of awareness programmes for teachers, students and the public in the conservation of biodiversity and protection of environment

 

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / TNN / June 05th, 2011

He was Destined to be an IAS Officer

Inspiration/ Positive News and Features, Leaders

BANGALORE:

He had the options of becoming a professor at the University of Florida, taking up aUnited Nations job and becoming a globe-trotter, earning tax-free income before taking voluntary retirement, or joining the IAS, which he had cleared in top form. Away in the US for a doctorate in criminology, deciding on one of these options was something which 26-year-old S M Jaamdar found difficult to do in 1979.

His procrastination made the central government give him a final call to either take or give up the IAS career. Coaxed by his father and wife, Jaamdar reluctantly chose to go down the bureaucratic path.

“I went directly from the US to Tarikere in Chikmagalur as assistant commissioner. My professor in the US, Vernon Fox, analyzed the three job prospects saying my country had sent me to study and use the knowledge back home. His advice helped me.”

But within six months Jaamdar called it quits and went to the UK only to return in 1984 to resume his IAS career. Today, he has no regrets about coming back. His most memorable and highly trying stint was as commissioner, resettlement and rehabilitation (R&R) of persons displaced by the Upper Krishna Project (UKP) in 135 villages of Bagalkot and Bijapur.

12 YEARS IN BAGALKOT

During the 12 years (1994-2006) spent in carving out a new town __ Nava Nagar __ in Bagalkot, Jaamdar reported to five chief ministers of four governments belonging to three different parties and came to be known as “people’s man”. Two arches in his name were put up on National Highway 13. But local politicians were not happy with him. “There was frequent pressure from netas to replace me, but none of the CMs yielded.”

The World Bank, while resuming funding for the UKP, put forth a condition that the official in charge of R&R cannot be changed till work is completed. “It was a challenging 24×7 job. Every day, bus-loads of people would come with their problems. I tried solving them by taking a decision on the spot and issuing relevant orders,” he recalls. Prominent among his many memories is the 1997 floods, when 300 people had to be shifted in boats at 7pm.

SOLD PROPERTY TO STUDY

Studying for two masters degrees and a doctorate was financially not easy for Jaamdar. His father used to own lands at Ramdurg in Belgaum district but lost them due to bad management. “I lost my mother in infancy and my only sibling was a sister eight years older to me. My father, who had studied till seventh standard in Marathi, was keen that I should get the best of education. To pay my SSLC fee, he sold two acres of land and during my PUC, some gold ornaments.” Appearing for the IAS was sheer accident and this time he was inspired by neighbours, the Rege family, where the father, daughter and uncle were in the IAS.

EARLY MARRIAGE

“I can call mine a sort of child marriage as I was only 20 when my father got me married. I’d got a scholarship to Stockholm University and my father decided if I’m not married I would either not come back or if I did, I’d not return alone.” He adds in a lighter vein, “My in-laws were ready to take the risk of me being away for a long time. That’s possible only if you don’t have a demanding wife.” His wife, of the reticent kind, is from Torgal in Belgaum.

Jaamdar credits his wife for the upbringing of their four children. Two daughters are married __ Meena, a doctor, is in Singapore and Naina, a software engineer, is settled in Arizona, US. The youngest Sapna is a techie working with Accenture, while son Chetan is doing his BE in telecommunications. “It was our mother who took care of us entirely,” says a candid Naina.

US STYLE IN BUREAUCRACY

Any person who walks into his chamber is first made to sit. “I learnt this in the US that even if you cannot help a person, just listening makes a difference.”

ME AND I…

“I am supposed to be snobbish and arrogant. That’s because I don’t mix with people and am not bothered. I am cruel with my staff and suspend or dismiss them if they don’t do what’s to be done. My new posting as principal secretary (home) is of a sensitive and secretive nature.”

Quote Hanger

I have taken up the role of mentor at the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice in Belgaum which is affiliated to Rani Channamma University. The government has allowed me to visit the institute once a week. A year from now, when I retire, I will be the dean.

OFFSIDE

* I am a sharp-shooter and learnt it when I enrolled for the officers’ training unit, from which I dropped out. Had I continued, I would have been a major-general now.

* I believe in God, but not in religion.

FAVOURITES

Interests: Architecture, landscaping, photography

Movies: Watched Ingrid Bergman’s 29 of 37 films. Likes Western classical and old Hindi film songs

* Food: Vegetarian and Italian

 

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / by Nigar Ataulla / TNN / June 06th, 2011

Mangalore : A tete-a-tete with Suniel Shetty

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Uncategorized

MANGALORE:

“I will support India at Mohali tomorrow” says Suniel Shetty 

Mangalore has produced many celebrities in the world of visual arts and among them the most visible have been our film stars; and when they come from the glamorous world of Bollywood, they bring with them an aura of star appeal that is by and large irresistible to the general public.

One of the most vibrant communities in Mangalore – the Bunt Community, has perhaps contributed the maximum number of film stars to Bollywood and Mangalore is especially proud of them.  Suniel Shetty is one such star who despite having spent nearly 20 years in the film industry remains to date a humble son of the soil.

Born on August 11, 1961, in Mulki near Mangalore, Suniel Shetty initially did Bollywood films that stereotyped him as an action hero.  Over the years, he has given his share of hits as well as flops but more recently he has been showing his acting prowess in an entirely different category; that of comedy.  Undoubtedly he has grown as an actor and today dons many roles in real life – that of an actor, businessman, family man and loyal friend to many.  Affectionately known as ‘Anna’ or elder brother he is exactly that to all his ardent admirers, many of them fellow Mangaloreans.

On the morning of March 29th, Suniel Shetty spoke exclusively to mangalorean.com and answered a few of our questions.  He said it was imperative that he left for Mumbai today as he had full plans of being there at Mohali to cheer the Indian Cricket Team tomorrow.  However, despite his hectic travel schedule he was in his usual charming self and answered all our questions very patiently.

You are going to complete 50 yrs in August this year. But you don’t look like you’re about to hit a half century. How do you manage to maintain your physique? Do you have a strict physical fitness routine?

Suniel:  Yes, physical fitness means a lot to me.  I believe that feeling physically fit and having control of our own body will improve our mental health.  Whatever I am today is because I maintain a strict physical fitness regime.  I am very strict with my food habits and I exercise a lot to keep myself fit.

You are popularly known as ‘Anna’ meaning elder brother. How did you get this name?

Suniel: It is because of my relationships within the film industry. Sanjay Dutt and I are in very good terms and I have received all the love and affection from him. In the film Industry Sunjay Dutt is called as Baba, Salman Khan as Bhai, Jackie Shroff as Dada and Suniel Shetty is called as Anna.  I like to be named as Anna because most of the people from film Industry call me “Anna” because they think of me as an elder brother.

What made you to join the film industry?

Suniel: I was practicing Karate and tried my best to be good in action oriented roles. When the opportunity came to me I grabbed it with both hands.

Can you tell us a little about your family? Your roots in Mangalore?

Suniel: I am from Mulky Padumane. I was brought up in Mumbai but I spent my entire childhood holidays in Mulky and Bappanadu was my playground. Bappanadu Temple is still my prayer place. My parents are from Mulky and I was born in Mulky.

You are both a businessman and an actor. Which profession is closer to your heart? Do you prefer to be known as Suniel the businessman or Suniel the actor?

Suniel: Suniel the actor made Suniel the business man. I am not doing more movies now. In twenty years of acting I have acted in 125 movies. My next film ‘Thank You’, (a comedy and romance) movie will be released on 8th April 2011. I would love to continue as an actor, but my business interests will always remain.

What are your business interests in your hometown Mangalore? We know you own a hotel and a clothing line here? Can you tell us more about it?

Suniel: The Clothing line ‘Mischief’ and Hotel in Mangalore are no longer mine.   I wanted to do something in my hometown Mangalore and so I have invested in the Mega Malls.  Right now I am involved only with the Mega Malls.

We have heard that you have a black belt in Kick Boxing. Where did you learn this?

Suniel: Yes, I learnt kick boxing in Mumbai and I have a black belt in it. It not only helps me to keep fit but it’s also useful when I do my action scenes.

You have done all kinds of roles in Bollywood films – Drama, Action, and Patriotic. You have been a soldier, villain, action hero, romantic hero etc – what kind of role do you feel most comfortable in?

Suniel: Yes, I am happy that I have done all kinds of roles in Bollywood films.  It has been a wonderful experience to work as an action hero, romantic hero, soldier and even a villain, but I like to work best in patriotic films.  This is where I feel I am playing a real life hero, one that is closest to reality.  This is why I like J P Dutta films.

You have given one of your biggest hits ‘Dhadkan’ with fellow Mangalorean Shilpa Shetty. We had heard talk of two films with another Mangalorean Aishwarya Rai. Except for a guest appearance in ‘Kyon Ho Gaya Na’ the other films didn’t happen?

Suniel: Yes, both the films with Aishwarya had problems; the director and the producers had issues within themselves. Because of the misunderstanding between the producer and director the films did not work out.  I regret this as both Aishwarya and Shilpa, being fellow bunts are my favourite persons in the industry.

Who is your all time favorite heroine?

Suniel: My favourite heroines are not one but many.   My all time favourites are Nargis, Kajol, Shilpa Shetty and Aishwarya Rai.  They have all done a very good job in the film industry.

Your favourite male co-star?

Suniel: Sunjay Dutt is my all time favourite male co-star.

Like all other Indians I’m sure you too are a big fan of Cricket. Any comments on the forthcoming India/Pakistan match?

Suniel: Yes, I am leaving to Mohali tomorrow to watch the cricket match between India and Pakistan and I am hoping against hope that India will definitely win this match.  Let’s hope for the best.

How often do you travel to Mangalore? What is it about Mangalore that you like the best? What is it about Mangalore you would like to change for the better?

Suniel: I like Mangalore a lot not only because I come from Mangalore but because Mangalore has so many things to like.  I love the food and the lovely people who are so hardworking.  I love the fantastic beaches, the number of temples here and the hospitality that comes so naturally to everyone.  There is always scope for improvement and I think Mangalore should improve in some fields like continuous electricity, infrastructure and more connectivity.

source: http://www.mangalorean.com / By Violet Pereira / Mangalore / Mar 29th, 2011

 

A Car from the Garbage Bin !

Inspiration/ Positive News and Features, ,

BHATKAL:

If we allow high school lads like Mohan Anand Naik of this coastal town of Bhatkal to find a way to mitigate the problem of the growing size of our  automobile dump yards he will come up with a series of cars! Yes in a recent attempt to do so he has indeed created a car that can take two people and which is built completely out of material taken from junk including the engine. But please pardon the disheveled look of this car which he fondly calls ‘Expert car’. 

He might have spent Rs. 8000 from his pocket money over a period of two months but today he has his own car.  “It all started when I found an old 50 cc motorcycle engine lying there in my father’s workshop, it gave me an idea of first putting together a motorcycle but making a car was easier”  Mohan tells with a grin.

Then I rummaged through the backyard scrap material. I found out an old kiddy’s tricycle of which metal wheel became the steering wheel, an old pickle storage tank became the fuel tank and an odd set of anglers and GI pipes became the frame and the chassis.  But still I had to find the transmission which I found in the town’s scrap dealers who offered it free to me after knowing about my dream car, he says.

Today after two months Mohan drives this car in his village called Talanda about 35 kilometers from Bhatkal and sometimes gives ride to his friends. “The ride is bumpy as I have not found the right set of shock absorbers to fit into the Chassis and the frame but the scrap dealer has told me he will find it for me and when they arrive I will have a smoother ride”  says Mohan.

“The shape is also nothing great, I need a windshield  and bonnet hood that needs replacing, but money is not coming smoothly as once the car was put on the road my financier –my father has slowed down investing on it”

Mohan also contacted his relatives who is a transport department official for a registration but the answer was in the negative. “rightly so,  I did not expect a car made out of scrap material to get a registration”  he understands.

Anand Naik his father was also skeptical about his son’s intentions in the beginning, “I thought this boy was just squandering my money, but as the car took shape I was happy about his concept and hard work that he put in. He learnt drilling, welding and working on engine all by himself.”

Mohan says that he wanted to do automobile engineering but that is a long way to go as he has just entered the tenth standard and needs to concentrate on doing well there to get into science stream.

 

source: http://themangalorean.com / by Rajat. R / Mangalore / May 18th, 2011

 

In a First, Girls Outnumber Boys in Private Aided Schools

Education

BANGALORE:

Call it woman power! Karnataka’s college-going girls have just broken the metaphorical glass ceiling and sent the boys packing in campuses across the state.

Girls outscoring boys in exams is passe. Karnataka’s 295 state-funded private degree colleges now have more girls than boys on campus.  For the first time this decade, female enrolment has overshot that of the male category in the state. Fresh data put out by the department of collegiate education (2010-11) shows that there are 1,02,629 girls compared to 96,543 boys in private aided colleges.
Karnataka’s government colleges, too, have recorded a three-fold rise in enrolment of girls in the last 10 years. In 2001, there were 24,477 girls joining conventional government degree colleges. By 2010, their numbers have swelled to 81,161, growing at a much faster pace than the opposite sex. During the same period, the number of male students increased from 33,922 to 84,475.

“This is a remarkable success story of girls in Karnataka. Although girls have been consistently doing better than boys in II PU exams, access has been a big issue. The state government has not only doubled the number of colleges in the last 10 years but decided to make admission into government colleges free for girls, a couple of years ago,” collegiate education director K V Kodandaramaiah, told TOI.

Collegiate department officials say that arts courses have been the overwhelming choice of girls followed by commerce and sciences. Vasanthi Srinivasan, professor of organisational behaviour and human resources management at Indian Institute of Management-Bangalore (IIM-B) foresaw the trend. “This was expected. We have been seeing girls making informed choices when it comes to non-engineering programmes. The world over, women’s enrolment has been high in humanities and biological sciences. What we should do now is crack it to get more girls into pure sciences.”

The turning point, if you can call it so, in the gender story, came in 2007-2008. The JD(S)-BJP government nearly doubled the number of government colleges from 182 to 349, pushing up enrolments. The following year, enrolment of women was double that of male students.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / By Mathang Seshagiri / TNN / June 03rd, 2011

Pay 4 paise More , Get Green Energy

Green Initiatives / Environment, Science & Technology, , , , , , , , ,

BANGALORE:

Have a penchant for renewable energy? If you pay four paise per unit more, you will get solar power to your house blended with other forms of energy.
To encourage use of renewable energy, Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) has made it mandatory for electricity supply companies (Escoms) to purchase 0.25 per cent of total power consumption from solar energy.

KERC chairman M R Sreenivasa Murthy announced this at 10th Green Power 2011 – a conference and exposition on renewable energy organized by the Confederation of Indian Industry on Tuesday. “Already, it is mandatory for Escoms to purchase 10 per cent of renewable energy. Over and above that, they have to buy 0.25 per cent of solar energy. For instance, Bescom will purchase 125 million units (mu) of solar energy (keeping the energy consumption base as 50,000 mu). Consumers will not know that they are using solar power.”

GREEN TARIFF

Industries who wish to support green energy can pay Re 1 more than the fixed power tariff. This is voluntary and introduced to support renewable energy generation.

Go creative the green way

The US consulate general, Chennai, will hold a series of contests and programmes to promote environmental awareness. It plans to organize a series of events, including blog and video contests, web or video chats, DVCs and a project titled ‘Smart Recycling’ for schoolchildren.

The competitions are open to those in the 18 to 30 age-group and staying in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala, Puducherry, Lakshadweep and Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

For the blog contest, ‘Get set green, my message to world leaders’, participants must submit their blog URL address along with personal details – name, age, email ID or address, mailing address and telephone number – to usconsulatechennaiblogcontest@gmail.com.

For the video contest, ‘Acts of green’, the videos should be three minutes long. To enter, participants must submit their video links and personal details to usconsulatechennaivideocontest@gmail.com

The US consulate’s Facebook page – facebook.com/chennai.usconsulate – has the guidelines and rules for both these contests. Entries have to be submitted by July 10.

 

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / TNN / Jun 08th, 2011