Monthly Archives: August 2013

Dr. Abdul Rasheed : The coin man of Mysore

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Records, All

Dr.RasheedBF22aug2013

Mysore :

It is said, “never judge a book by its cover.” Similarly never judge a person only by his looks. Meet Dr. Abdul Rasheed, popularly referred to as Dus ka Doctor, who charges a nominal fees of Rs.10 from poor patients, and who also has the hobby of collecting coins.

This numismatist (one who collects coins) has an amazing collection of more than 3,000 coins, some of them dating back to as far as 300 BC and some as recent as of today.

When asked about what drove Dr. Rasheed to pursue such a time-consuming hobby in spite of his busy schedule, he said that it all began with a curiosity to know about coins of different countries, followed by fascination and ultimately passion.

The journey began in the year 1955 when he was studying in high school where he used to exchange coins which he had in excess from the collections of his forefathers. His grandfather was an Inspector during British rule who had the hobby of collecting coins and he continued the same.

He started with the collection of coins belonging to dynasties like Kalingas, Hoysalas, Cholas, Vijayanagar, Moghuls, coins from East India Company, all of which were made of gold, silver, copper, nickel, aluminium, lead and other alloys.

This fascinating collection further includes coins from the kingdoms of Kashmir, Juwanpur, Malwa, Diwanpur, Gujarat, Bahamanis, Bengal, Shahi and other Princely States which existed during the British period, and also from Goa, Hyderabad, Travancore, Mysore, Arcot, Wadiyars, Pudukote, Peshwas, Maratha etc. A total of 1200 coins of 93 foreign countries including those from the time of Napoleon, Hitler and Queen Victoria, Tipu Sultan; and 2000 coins of India and other unique coins of personalities, events, food, agriculture etc., are his treasure and some, his prized possession. These coins have been collected very lovingly and preserved carefully over the years. They have also been systematically classified, categorised and fixed in proper display boards.

Dr. Rasheed said that he used to collect ancient coins whenever he visited historical places and during his trip abroad and added that he has coins from 3rd century BC, Ghazni era coins from North India and from Kanishka era coins in South India.

He said that he was ably supported by his wife Dr. S.R.Nayyar Zaiba who knew Urdu, Arabic and Parsi languages who helped him read the texts on the coins and re-arrange the same. His children Mohammed Muzammil, who runs a pharmacy on Ashoka road, Mudassir Reza, Managing Director of Hotel Sunshine on Ashoka Road and daughter Dr. Sabhath Rasheed who now lives in UAE, also helped him.

Dr. Rasheed who worked for 22 years as a doctor in Saudi Arabia, Iran and Syria is now settled in Mysore and runs a clinic on Ashoka road.

In his message to the youth, Dr.Rasheed says that the youth and children of today depend a lot on computers for any information as it is readily available without any effort, but the joy and experience one can get by just looking and reliving history through these coins is beyond description. The young can develop this hobby, which would help them know history better, like important dates, inscriptions, personalities, metallurgy and also understand the kind of socio-economic conditions which prevailed during that period.

When asked about his future plans, he said he would like to have exhibitions throughout Karnataka to educate the youth and create awareness among them about these coins and the coinage era. Dr. Rasheed has put in a lot of effort in relentlessly pursuing this hobby. Here’s wishing all the best to this coin man of Mysore to achieve greater success in the years to come.

Dr. Rasheed can be contacted on e-mail: abdul.rasheed194@yahoo.com.

[Noorana is a Senior Manager-Corporate Communication, Indian Oil Corporation Limited.]

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Feature Articles / by Noorana / August 21st, 2013

Jawa friends take out rally

Sports

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More than 40 Jawa bike enthusiasts under the aegis of Mysore Jawa Friends’ Club took out a rally of vintage Jawa and Yezdi bikes in city yesterday as part of I-Day from Maharaja’s College ground.

They passed through Chamaraja Double Road, Mysore Palace, Agrahara Circle, JSS Hospital, M.G. Road, Jockey Quarters and culminated at Chamundi Hill.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / August 16th, 2013

Five freedom fighters feted in city

Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Leaders, Records, All
District Minister Sreenivasa Prasad is seen felicitating the freedom fighters as (from left) MLA Tanveer Sait, MP H. Vishwanath, Police Commissioner M.A. Saleem, DCP A.N. Rajanna, Deputy Commissioner C. Shikha and SP Abhinav Khare look on
District Minister Sreenivasa Prasad is seen felicitating the freedom fighters as (from left) MLA Tanveer Sait, MP H. Vishwanath, Police Commissioner M.A. Saleem, DCP A.N. Rajanna, Deputy Commissioner C. Shikha and SP Abhinav Khare look on

Mysore :

Five freedom fighters amongst the few survivors of a generation that took part in the freedom struggle, were felicitated for their contributions during the I-Day celebrations yesterday.

The District Administration, which identified five out of the 50 members of Mysore District Freedom Fighters Association, honoured them. They are:

1. P. Venkata Swamy: Born in 1927, he was arrested during the Quit India Movement despite being a student. He had also been taken as a political prisoner for participating in the movement and imprisoned for a month. Currently, he is the Secretary of the District Freedom Fighters Association.

2. M.B. Hale Gowda: Born in 1930, he was involved in picketing during anti-tobacco and anti-liquor movements in the district and also took part in social reconstruction besides being involved in the Mysore Chalo Movement. He too underwent imprisonment at the Srirangapatna Sub-jail.

3. C.N. Ashwathnarayana Shetty: He took part in social movements connected with freedom struggle and was arrested along with scores of Congress leaders during such struggles. He was sent to Mandya jail before being shifted to Bangalore central jail for one month.

4. M.Somashekaraiah: He took part in Mysore Chalo agitation and was taken into custody while on a Prabhat Pheri at Hassan.

5. B. Lingaiah: He was felicitated for his participation in the Goa Liberation movement.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / August 16th, 2013

Kundapur: Photographers’ Rural Sports Meet Inaugurated

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Sports

Kundapur, 8 Aug 2013:

The unity of photographers who are always ever busy in their profession is being exemplified by partaking in rural sports meet at least for a day, said progressive farmer Kenchanoor Somashekar Shetty.

Somashekar was speaking after inaugurating rural sports meet that was organized by Kundapur photographers’ Association at Jalady – Hemmady on Tuesday August 6.

The Association honorary president and veteran photographer Robert D’Souza presided the function here on Tuesday morning.

Photo Palace proprietor Raviraj Kidiyoor, South Kanara Photographers’ Association president Vasudev Rao, state Photographers’ Association former vice president Ashok Kumar Shetty, Hemmady gram panchayat president Sharat Shetty, Kundapur Photographers’ Association president Harish Gurukripa, secretary Pramod Acharya, sports secretary Naveen, joint secretaries Nagesh Kota and Sukhpal, vice president Gratian Dias, treasurer Raja Matadabettu were present on the occasion.

The farmers – Paul, B K Muttappa and Mohammed who set the silted-field on the occasion were honored during the programme.

Ashok Kumar Shetty welcomed the gathering.  Pramod Acharya proposed vote of thanks.  Uday Padiyar compered the programme.

source: http://www.bellevision.com / BelleVision.com / Home> News / by Bernard J D Costa – Bellevison News Network / Kundapur – August 08th, 2013

NASSCOM Opens First Startup Warehouse In Bangalore

Business & Economy, Records, All, Science & Technology

Bangalore:

India’s IT industry representative body Nasscom Tuesday opened its first start-up warehouse in this tech hub for young entrepreneurs to innovate software products and solutions for the domestic and export markets.

 
“The Karnataka government is collaborating with us to create an ecosystem where budding entrepreneurs can incubate their tech start-ups in the product space,” National Association of Software and Services Companies (Nasscom) president Som Mittal said on the occasion.

 
Located on the upscale old airport road in the eastern suburb of the city, the warehouse has about 10,000 square feet space with 70 seats to accommodate 25 start-ups. The entrepreneurs will have leased internet line, power backup and four meeting rooms.

 
“We are unveiling the country’s first incubation centre with six start-ups, selected from about 4,000 applications received for our ’10,000 start-ups programme’ initiated recently to support entrepreneurs in their early stage of operation with angel funding,” Mittal asserted.

source: http://www.siliconindia.com / Silicon India / Home> Silicon India Startup> News / Thursday – August 08th, 2013

City to get its 1st genetic testing lab

Business & Economy, Records, All, Science & Technology

The city is all set to get its first laboratory for genetic testing to diagnose common hereditary and other genetic diseases, including cancer, cardiovascular diseases, eye diseases and neonatal disorders.

The laboratory, called ANGEL (Advanced Novel Genetic Evaluation Laboratory), coming up at Narayana Nethralaya, will be a diagnostic and basic research service laboratory.

Narayana Nethralaya vice-chairman Dr Rohit Shetty told reporters here on Wednesday, that the lab will have facilities like genetics, gene testing, whole genome sequencing, gene expression microarrays, proteomics and immunohistochemistry.

Sam Santosh, chairman, MedGenome, which is partnering with the Nethralaya for the initiative costing Rs30 crore, said managing inherited diseases continues to be a huge challenge for the medical fraternity. “One or two in every 100 children in India are born with genetic disorders. Through the laboratory, mothers can be tested and such diseases can be prevented at the foetal stage itself,” he said. Dr Shetty said the aim of the initiative is to make genetic screening more affordable for the masses using new generation sequencing technologies.

Gene Therapy

Meanwhile, research is on to render genetic therapy to treat diseases at the Genes Repair, Regeneration in Ophthalmic Workstation (GROW), set up by Arka Subra Ghosh, who returned to India from the Institute for Molecular and Cell Biology, Singapore.

“Gene therapy still has a long way to go because we are awaiting legislation to control gene and stem cell therapy,” Ghosh said.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Banglaore / by Express News Service – Bangalore / August 08th, 2013

Jubilant Biosys’ prostate cancer drug

Records, All, Science & Technology, World Opinion

New Delhi :

Jubilant Biosys Ltd, a Bangalore-based subsidiary of Jubilant Life Sciences Ltd, said the USFDA had accepted its IND (Investigational New Drug) filing for a ‘novel’ molecule targeting prostate cancer with Endo Pharmaceuticals of the US.

This molecule would now progress toward the next phase of development and is anticipated to go into clinical trials by late 2013, a company release said.

Subir Kumar Basak, President, Global Drug Discovery Services, Jubilant Life Sciences, said the “successful outcome” was the result of collaboration between the scientists at Endo (a US-based specialty healthcare company) and Jubilant Biosys.

source: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com / Business Line / Home> Companies / by The Hindu Bureau / New Delhi – August 07th, 2013

Manipal Health acquires hospital in Malaysia

Business & Economy, Science & Technology, World Opinion

Acquisition includes new 200-bed tertiary care hospital under construction in nearby location

Manipal Health Enterprises, the healthcare arm of the Manipal Education and Medical Group, has acquired a 70-bed hospital in Klang, Selangor District of Malaysia. This acquisition by Manipal Hospitals also includes a new 200 bed tertiary care hospital which is presently under construction in a nearby location, which will be commissioned by last quarter of the Financial Year 2014-15, said a company statement.  The hospital, was set up by Dr Poraviappan Arunasalam, an obstetrics and gynaecology  consultant in Klang about 14 years ago.

According to a statement, the hospital will focus on a combination of wellness, prevention and curative care levels – for both the domestic and an emerging overseas patient traffic into Malaysia from neighboring countries.

Swaminathan Dandapani — Executive Chairman of Manipal Health Enterprises, said,  “This acquisition is a part of the company’s strategy to expand its footprint in India and in countries of West Asia, Africa and Asia Pacific. In the near term, significant capacities will be created to add on to the present group capacity of 15 hospitals and 5,000 beds.

The Manipal group has already two campuses in Malaysia — a Medical school at Melaka since 2001 and a newly formed (in 2012) Malaysia International University at Nilai, Kuala Lumpur.

source: http://www.business-standard.com / Business Standard / Home> Companies> News / by BS Reporter / Mumbai – August 08th, 2013

US pro-immigration for talented people: Gururaj Deshpande

Business & Economy, Leaders, Nri's / Pio's, Science & Technology
Gururaj 'Desh' Deshpande
Gururaj ‘Desh’ Deshpande

Bangalore :

Gururaj ‘Desh’ Deshpande is an Indian American investor, best known for cofounding Sycamore Networks and the Deshpande Center for Technological Innovation at MIT in the US. In Bangalore, he co-founded Tejas Networks. Three years ago, US President Barack Obama appointed him co-chair of the National Advisory Council on Innovation and Entrepreneurship. For those new to this space, he is related to Infosys’ N R NarayanaMurthy (his and Murthy’s wives are sisters ), and it is said that Deshpande used to be introduced as Murthy’s brother-in-law in India, and vice-versa in the US. Deshpande spoke exclusively to TOI on a visit to Bangalore on Thursday:

How do you see the immigration debate in the US?
The US wants highly talented people to be part of its economy. When we went to the US in the ’70s, we didn’t have that many opportunities to come back. Now, a lot of people going there for education are not staying back and the US is getting to the point where their education is the best in the world and they are not benefiting from it. They are pro-immigration for highly talented people. But there are also 20 million illegal immigrants in US, hence there’s this big debate about granting citizenship to immigrants.

You advise Obama on innovation and entrepreneurship. How is that initiative going?
Innovation is as important in the US as it is in India. In the US, for the last 15 years, 5 lakh new companies have started every year, generating 4 million new jobs each year. This has happened independent of slowdowns . The only way to solve the long-term problem is to create more jobs and take it to 8 or 10 million. The question is how do you get startups and how do you bring them up to speed? We cameup with a policy on how to generate ideas, promote entrepreneurship and provide access to capital. The key message that applies to India also is that government should not be in the game of picking winners and losers. They should explore co-investing opportunities or give tax breaks to angel investors and VCs.

What is your assessment of the startup ecosystem in India?
I’m excited. Sometimes in India people’s expectation goes out of hand. People think that they can create entrepreneurship by building infrastructure and incubators. It doesn’t happen. It happens only by people actively engaging in it. The best policy is, you let a lot of people play and not pick the winners and losers. It’s like having a cricket team with a lot of street cricket. Once you have big platforms, you have good people coming to it.

You’ve set up what you call a Social Innovation Sandbox to nurture social enterprise and innovation in the Hubli-Dharwad region. How is that going?
If impact is what you desire, you have to get connected to real problems. If you want social innovation to happen, you have to have a deep understanding of the problem itself and then to solve it. You need new ideas that needn’t be patentable and looking for huge competitive advantage. Relevance is the most important piece in social innovation. We have 10,000 college students in Hubli-Dharwad doing about 2,000 projects. You’re using society as a lab. Even if 3-4 % of them become entrepreneurs and employ 10 or 100 people, it’s a huge booster to the economy. When you bring execution excellence to the compassion of the non-profit , magic happens. Ratan Tata  was a part of the Sandbox last year. I met him in Mumbai recently and he said he wants to do something similar. Ratan is motivated to solve huge problems . He thinks Akshaya Patra can scale from feeding 1.2 million to 100 million.

source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> Tech> Enterprise IT> Entrepreneurship / by Shilpa Padnis & Sujit John, TNN / August 09th, 2013

MIA pushes for exports centre in Mysore

Business & Economy

Mysore :

The Mysore Industries Association on Monday sought the intervention of Congress MLA Vasu to get requisite funds to set up an exports centre in Mysore, which, it said, will boost investment prospects in the area.

The association asked the Chamaraja MLA to get funds allocated in the budget and also extend Rs 20 lakh from MLA local area development funds so that the project is implemented without any delay.

Members of the association, who are rooting for the creation of the centre since five years, said the Visvesvaraya Inustrial Trade Centre (VITC), a unit under the department of industries and commerce, is planning to set up the centre at the District Industries Centre (DIC) though a plot in Hebbal industrial area is reserved for the proposed project.

The association drew the attention of Vasu during an export promotion and awareness programme on export credit  insurance in India jointly hosted by the VTPC, DIC in association with Karnataka Small Scale Industries Association and Mysore Industries Association.

Vasu said he will approach chief minister Siddaramaiah on the issue but also stated to the stakeholders in industrial development that there are other priorities. The association pointed out that Mysore region has potential for industrial growth given the availability of land and water, the two basic components for industrial development. They said Mysore region has 25,000 micro and small industries and some 100 medium and major industries arguing the case for setting up of the export centre. In their representation, they said the project promoted by the MIA was announced in the 2010-11 budget, which was followed up with sanctioning of Rs 30 lakh during last fiscal. The funds were released by the Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB) through VTPC. The project is estimated to cost Rs 6 crore and MIA is proposing to fund Rs 1 crore for the project and seeking assistance from the state pointing out that the Centre will extend financial assistance too.

During the meeting, industry leaders threw light on exporting and the requirements for export to businessmen from small and medium enterprises. Export is one area in which the small scale industries has made rapid strides in Karnataka, B P Shashidhar, president, Karnataka Small Scale Industries Association (KASSIA) said. The growth rate of exports from small scale industries from Karnataka is significant, he said.

Karnataka’s contribution to the export of electronics, IT, textiles and garments, silk , processed foods and handicrafts has been quite impressive, he said, adding the state’s export policy has helped in this.

Shashidhar underlined the importance of entrepreneurs asking them to update their knowledge, which, he pointed, can be achieved by visiting trade fairs. Participation in domestic and international exhibition every year will be a rewarding exposure. It will widen the entrepreneurs contact network, he added.

VITC deputy director Shariff spoke about the basic requirements for exports.

source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Mysore / TNN / July 02nd, 2013