Participants at the Ada Lovelace Edit-a-thon 2014 workshop held in Bangalore last week. At least 15 participants added content about women scientists over two days to Wikipedia as the first step in bringing public awareness about them.
Wikipedia edit-a-thon attempts to raise awareness of the contribution of Indian women to science
Ask anyone to name an Indian scientist and the answer is likely to be a man, and not a woman scientist. To let more people know about the unsung heroines of science in India, a workshop called the Ada Lovelace Edit-a-thon 2014 was held here recently. At least 15 participants added content about women scientists over two days to Wikipedia as the first step in bringing public awareness about them.
The edit-a-thon (a large number of people adding or modifying content on Wikipedia at once) concluded on October 14, which was Ada Lovelace Day, an international day to celebrate the achievements of women in science, technology and maths. The event was organised by BioScienceIndia Programme, a non-profit science outreach initiative, and Bangalore-based Centre for Internet and Society.
Participants added information about at least 40 women scientists. Information on 80 more would be added in a year’s time, said Nandini Rajamani, Co-director, BioScienceIndia Programme.
The aim, however, is to go beyond edit-a-thons, to examine issues that have not received the attention they deserve. Women scientists in India are not on par with men for several reasons (see info box) and the “leaky pipeline” theory is used to describe their decreasing visibility. Vishnu Vardhan, Director, Access to Knowledge team, CIS, said the aim is to motivate a new and younger generation of women scientists.
Karthik Ramaswamy, visiting scientist at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and a participant in the edit-a-thon, said science in India has a ‘diversity problem’ with Indian women and minorities represented inadequately. “There are very few women scientists among faculty of science institutions because they have no role models. Hopefully, this (presence on Wikipedia) will provide them with role models,” he added.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Bangalore / by Renuka Phadnis / Bangalore – October 19th, 2014
Inspired by her father, Bhagyalakshmi took tomorsing and is going places
Women percussion instrument players are few and far between. Rarer are women playing a percussion-twang instrument like morsing. Vijayanagar resident Bhagyalakshmi M. Krishna is, perhaps, the only woman performer of morsing in Karnataka.
Renowned vocalist M. Balamuralikrishna, when he met her in 2006 in Chennai, had told her that she was the first woman morsing player he had met in his long musical career.
Father’s legacy
Bhagyalakshmi taking to the art is no surprise, considering that she is the daughter of the legendary morsing player Bheemachar. She recalls with fondness that her father was a big source of inspiration with a progressive attitude at a time when percussion playing was not regarded a woman’s forte.
He was happy to bring Bhagyalakshmi too into the world of laya , just as he had trained both his sons Dhruvaraj and Rajashekar, both well-known percussionists today.
“When renowned percussionist H.P. Ramachar’s revolutionary experimentation, Karnataka Mahila Laya Madhuri ensemble, had brought in women for mridanga, khanjira, ghata, thavil and konakkol, only morsing was missing. Ramachar’s plea to teach me the art of morsing not just saw my father start the lessons almost immediately, but his conscientious effort enabled me to absorb the nuances like a blotting paper. I was on the dais even as I was a sixth standard student,” she recalls. Thirty-eight-year-old Bhagyalakshmi, a resident of Govindarajnagar in Vijayanagar area, holds a B.Sc. in Electronics.
She is happy that her father brought in some radical changes in his morsing schooling as the “sol-kattu” or percussion syllables he used was stretched with precision and lucidity.
“He believed that clear verbal expressions of laya (the art of konakkol) helped transform the beats onto morsing more effectively. To the lyrical flow of the instrument sheltered in the traditional Pudukottai styling, my father brought in innovative embellishments. What gave it the true ‘Bheemachar stamp’ was the ‘kirra’ sound generally heard from the dhol that was infused into morsing to bring in a dramatic effect,” she explains.
Travels abroad
Bhagyalakshmi, through Mahila Laya Madhuri, travelled to Egypt, Algeria and Tunisia on a concert tour through the ICCR. If that was the starting point, today, as a member of the popular Stree Taal Tarang steered by ghata artiste Sukanya Ramgopal, she has toured extensively through the length and breadth of the nation and globe, and has participated in more than 1,000 concerts and accompanied star performers of the Carnatic genre.
Bheemachar’s Morsing Tarang also had the entire family of four percussionists travel to Amsterdam to take part in the global Jew’s Harp Fest.
“It’s a treat to represent India and present the Indian harp,” she says. Morsing, used in Rajasthan folk music, is called ‘murchang’ there, while the same instrument exists in Germany, Hungary, Japan, Vietnam and Russia under different names that come together during international harp fests.
Says Bhagyalakshmi: “Only when we go abroad and participate in percussion ensembles do we realise the importance this small instrument enjoys. It’s comforting that our own Laya Vadya ensembles have helped morsing to gain more importance. Gender bias is also fading out.”
A knack
On the question of whether morsing can seriously hurt the tongue, she says: “It’s an art you get used to. There is a knack in making music by holding this instrument made of mild steel between your tongue and lips.”
Bhagyalakshmi is now a regular at the Music Academy, Chennai, concerts. This year, during the December season concerts, she will be beside Bangalore’s renowned music guru Neela Ramgopal.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National> Karnataka / by Ranjani Govind / November 12th, 2013
Renamed as Kidnar; principal researcher Pramod Gai has been appointed as director of Kidnar with immediate effect
The Karnatak University, Dharwad, (KUD) has the privilege of housing the first-ever and the only DNA testing centre in the state on its campus. The existing DNA Research Centre (DNARC) in the university has now been given the status of an autonomous institution by the state government and has been renamed the Karnatak Institute for DNA Research (Kidnar).
Chief minister Jagadish Shettar said following persistent demand from the departments of home, medical education and health for setting up a DNA testing unit in the state, the Karnataka government in a Cabinet meeting on February 8 decided to accord autonomous status to the DNARC of Dharwad and renamed it Kidnar. It also decided to appoint principal researcher Pramod Gai as director of Kidnar with immediate effect and transfer the funds granted to DNARC to Kidnar account.
Now the departments like home, medical education, health and family welfare can take the help of this facility as the DNA testing can be done at this Centre instead of sending the samples to CCMB (Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology), CDFD (Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics), Hyderabad. “This will help complete the investigation into crimes quickly. Depending on testing centres outside Karnataka was causing unusual delays in investigation,” said a senior IPS officer.
The centre has already standardised the techniques of DNA testing from blood, blood stains,tissue, hair, saliva, nail etc. It will have six more scientists and laboratory assistants.
source: http://www.business-standard.com / Business Standard / Home> Economy & Policy> News / by BS Reporter / Chennai-Dharwad, March 20th, 2013
Intro: Once considered as a taboo in India, women wrestlers in India have fought all odds to be recognised as wrestling was restricted to only men and women were not encouraged to take up the sport.
It was in early 2000 that women were encouraged to take up wrestling as a sport. Geeta Phogat of Haryana became the first woman to qualify for the Olympics in the year 2012 and slowly the sport started spreading across the country and today the country is a home for many talented women wrestlers who have been competing in national and international tournaments. One such girl who has made a name for herself in wrestling is Rita Priyanka, a native of Palahalli in Mandya district. Having taken up wrestling in 2004, she has emerged as a champion wrestler. She has also become an inspiration for young women who wish to make a career out of wrestling. Rita has completed her graduation in Arts from D. Banumaiah College in City. Star of Mysore (SOM) caught up with Rita Priyanka for a chat. Here are the excerpts…
by S.N. Venkatnag Sobers
SOM: When did you take up wrestling and who encouraged you?
Rita: I took up wrestling in the year 2004. It was my father who encouraged me to take up wrestling when I informed him about my desire to become a wrestler. Basically, I have been an athlete since my childhood. After having participated in athletics and Kabbadi competitions, I decided to take up wrestling as it was interesting. Fortunately, I have been doing well in wrestling competitions held in State and at the National level. I wish to continue my good run and wish to represent my country at international tournaments.
SOM: Wrestlers like other sports-persons are required to maintain the physique and diet. What is your daily routine and diet?
Rita: I get up at 5 am everyday and go for a 6 km run, that is from Palahalli to Pump House and return. Later, I attend my college and hit the wrestling ring at 4 pm at the University of Mysore. I am being coached by L. Manjappa, University wrestling coach, on Point Wrestling. This apart, Pailwan Ramesh, Girish, Vijendra, Mukunda and others have been guiding me throughout.
My diet includes Sukka Chapathis, Ragi Balls, Ragi Porridge, Raw Egg, Butter and other high protein food. The diet alters accordingly during my preparations to a tournament.
SOM: What role has your father played in you emerging as a successful wrestler?
Rita: Like I said earlier, my father Antony Raj has been my inspiration. He has encouraged me throughout. Though, we come from a poor background, he has made sure to get me the best of training facilities to help in all my endeavours to become a successful woman wrestler. We neither have lands nor we have high income, but my father being a small farmer has never discouraged me. I owe a lot to my father.
SOM: Compared to other States, Karnataka lacks proper infrastructure for wrestling especially for women. What do you have to say on this?
Rita: Sadly, we don’t have the infrastructure that is required for women wrestlers. When Shobha Karandlaje was the District In-Charge Minister, we had requested her to construct a sports hostel for women in Mysore as it is the first place in the State to have women wrestlers.
Unfortunately, the facilities are provided at Belgaum and Davanagere. It is difficult for us to go there and get trained. I request the State Government to grant a sports hostel for wrestling in Mysore.
SOM: What are your future plans in wrestling and career?
Rita: I will continue to prepare for wrestling competitions. I aspire to become a Police Officer and serve the society. Earlier, the State Govt. provided job opportunities for wrestlers in Police Department and others. But, it has stopped now.
I have applied for the Sub-Inspector’s post and I am waiting for the interview call. Hopefully, I will do well in the interview and get through.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home>Feature Articles / Wednesday , October 15th, 2014
Senior journalist from city Krishna Prasad, who is now the Editor-in-Chief of Outlook magazine, has been nominated as the Member of the 12th Press Council of India (PCI) for a period of three years by the Government of India.
Krishna Prasad, who now lives in Delhi, is part of the 28-member Press Council, which is a statutory body that governs the conduct of print media in the country.
The Council is empowered to hold hearings based on complaints received against print media or initiate action against print media suo motto.
Krishna Prasad, who is one among the six members under the Working Journalists — Editor category — will be in charge of all matters related to English Dailies in India for a period of three years.
Earlier, Krishna Prasad was a Committee Member of Press Club of India for two years. Justice Markandey Katju is the Chairman of the Council.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home>General News / Wednesday , October 15th, 2014
The Annual General Body Meeting (AGM)of Indian Medical Association (IMA), Mysore Branch, was held recently at I.M.A House on New Sayyaji Rao Road here.
The following office-bearers were unanimously elected for the year 2014-2015:
Dr. M.S. Kempegowda, President; Dr. G. Marulasiddappa, President – Election (2015-16); Dr. P. Puttaswamy and Dr. S.B. Prakash, Vice-Presidents; Dr. B.N. Ananda Ravi, Hon. Secretary; Dr. M. Shivanna, Joint Secretary; Dr. Suresh Rudrappa, Treasurer.
Executive Committee Members are: Dr. Dhananjaya, Dr. Sujatha S. Rao, Dr. Y.M. Shiva Kumar, Dr. Chandrasekhar Sosale, Dr. M.R. Shashi Kumar, Dr. Suleman Shamshad Mohammed, Dr. D. Parameshwara Naik, Dr. T.K. Rangaswamy and Dr. N. Chandrabhan Singh.
State Council Members are: Dr. C. Rajan, Dr. N. Chandrashekar, Dr. S.P. Yoganna, Dr. K.B. Gurumurthy, Dr. P. Sathya, Dr. H. Vasudev Naik, Dr. K.H. Basavaraj, Dr. G.R. Jagannatha Babu, Dr. Zakir Ali Khan, Dr. B.R. Anand, Dr. C. Mahadevu and Dr. Murthy.
Central Council Members are: Dr. B.V. Rajagopal, Dr. S. Prasanna Shankar, Dr. B. Ramananda Kumar, Dr. L. Devegowda, Dr. Capt. G.S. Venkatesh, Dr. S.M. Prabhulingaswamy and Dr. A. H. Hareesh, according to a press release from Dr.B.N. Ananda Ravi, Hon.Secretary, IM A, Mysore Branch.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home>General News / Monday , October 13th, 2014
Getting a personal photo on a postage stamp is quite simple now with the department of posts launching ‘My Stamp’ scheme some time ago in Bangalore and Mysore.
By paying Rs.300, 12 stamps of face value of Rs.5 could be obtained in just 15 minutes by submitting a photograph. The facility is available at Central post office on Ashoka road here. There is also a facility to be photographed at the post office for which an address proof should be given.
The department has decided to offer a discount of 10% for two sheets of stamps of 12 each and 20% for 100 sheets and more.
Over 350 people are said to have already got their personal stamps printed in city.
More information could be sought on phone numbers 0821-2417303 / 2417306, according to a press release.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home>General News / Sunday , October 12th, 2014
Mysore Librarians and Information Scientists Association (MyLISA), Mysore, in collaboration with the Department of Library and Information Science, University of Mysore and Rotary Mysore North, has organised a book exhibition and donation camp on Oct. 13 from 9.30 am.
The camp will be held at the new DIRC Building, Mysore University Library, Manasagangotri (near bus stop).
The camp will be inaugurated by Prof. S. Indumathi, Dean, Faculty of Arts, University of Mysore and former Vice-Chancellor, Davangere University.
Prof. G. Hemantha Kumar of Department of Computer Science, will be the guest of honour. S. Nagaraja, President, MyLISA, Y. R. Manjunath, President, Rotary Mysore North, Dr. M. Chandrashekara, Chairman and Professor, Department of Library and Information Science, University of Mysore and Dr. C.P. Ramasesh, Librarian, Mysore University Library, will be present on the occasion.
Books will be distributed to the libraries of various schools and colleges free of cost. The camp is organised as part of ‘Pusthaka Dasara-2014’ initiative to promote the use of books.
Around 1500 books in various subjects as Chemistry, Commerce, Computer Science, English literature, Economics, Engineering, Food Science, General Knowledge, History, Kannada literature, Management, Medicine, Philosophy, Physics, Religion, Political Science, Science, Sociology, Fiction, Literature and Biographies have been received through donation. A significant number of children’s books have also been donated by the public. A list of books received is hosted on the MyLISA website http://mylisamysore.weebly.com.
Schools and colleges interested to receive the books may contact Dr. M.V. Sunil, Co-ordinator on Mobile: 99864 39832 or Dr. N.S. Harinarayana, Secretary, MyLISA on 97415 33380.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home>General News / Sunday , October 12th, 2014
Feeding America, a unique food bank initiative that has redefined food donation and feeding the underprivileged, has been replicated in Bangalore.
Bangalore Food Bank (BFB) was launched in the city on Thursday to coincide with the World Food Day. Supported by Griffith Laboratories Private Ltd and a handful of individuals, the initiative kicked off with Griffith Laboratories making the first donation of ready-to- cook ‘khichdhi’ packets to feed 5,000 people through its NGO feeding partners.
According to BFB director (operations) Meher S Dasondi, food banking is a system that moves food from donors to the needy and is a non-profit distribution enterprise that serves the community through institutional feeding programmes. A food bank acquires donated food in the form of food grains, pulses, oils spices etc, and works as a facilitator between those who have surplus and those who need food. Only dry food can be donated as cooked food has limited shelf life.
Nearly 28 NGOs have partnered with BFB including Auto Raja’s Home of Hope, Mitra Jyothi School for the Blind, and Vathsala Charitable Trust. Individuals and firms interested in food donation can contact Dasondi on 9538035252.
source: http://www.bangaloremirror.com / Bangalore Mirror / Home> Bangalore> Others / Bangalore Mirror Bureau / October 17th, 2014
Sukkanya Ramgopal is India’s first woman ghatam artiste.She learnt from the legendary Vikku Vinayakaram who gave India its first ‘Ghatam Grammy’.She’s the first to create the unique concept of Ghata Tharang playing six ghatams at the same time.And the first to set up Bangalore’s all-woman Carnatic ensemble.
Sukkanya Ramgopal
Sukkanya,who has been invited to perform at the prestigious Madras Music Academy festival with the ensemble the ultimate accolade in the Carnatic domain shares her thoughts on women,ghatam and Carnatic music.Excerpts from an interview:
Tell us about the place of the ghatam in Carnatic music today.
Her guru Vikku Vinayakaram
Things changed for the ghatam after Vikku Vinayakaram.He has given it a place no one has,got it the right attention.Vikku has also made the ghatam internationally popular he’s played with an African ensemble that won him the Grammy,the only ghatam artiste to do so.Thanks to him,ghatam artistes can travel abroad today,which was once unthinkable.Ghatam is number five in Carnatic music vocals,violin,mridangan,khanjira and then ghatam.But,if it is taken more seriously than it was a decade or two ago,it means Vikku made the difference.
Why are there so few women ghatam artistes
It is very difficult to produce sounds from the ghatam.Even men find it difficult! It’s still seen as a ‘masculine’ instrument.Parents have to be convinced there is a future in the ghatam and that women and ghatam go together.
How did you get into it
I started on the violin,then learnt the mridangam.I then heard of Vikku and began to go to his concerts.I was awestruck.I asked him to take me as his student.He said,It is difficult for a girl to produce sounds on the ghatam.You are playing mridangam nicely,why not continue with that At that point,his father intervened.There is no difference between a boy and a girl for the ghatam.Teach her.She’s very hardworking. Vikku’s magic and his father’s perception of me made me his student.
And your family’s reaction
My mother was very encouraging.My father didn’t like it.He didn’t come for the first few concerts.A while later,he got interested and began accompanying me.Gradually,my entire family liked it and backed me all the way.
How do other musicians perceive you,a woman as a ghatam artiste
Generally,musicians are not very happy with women accompanists.It’s a long-held feeling and it’s still there.Even organizers are careful in engaging artistes.That’s why it becomes difficult for me to play with a stalwart like U Srinivas.And where musicians allow me to accompany them,I find the mike won’t be set right! It’s strange there is accommodation but not accommodation in entirety on stage.Shouldn’t all of us be one in a concert
How accepted do you feel in the music world
I do feel accepted.I have the highest ranking on All India Radio and musicians are comfortable with me.I perform at the Ramaseva Mandali at Chamarajpet and Seshadripuram every year.I go abroad too.This apart,I am saying the comfort factor for the woman ghatam artiste in a concert should be complete,no different from the comfort factor other artistes enjoy within the ensemble.
Is that why the all-women ensemble came about
Partly.The stage just had to be more accommodative or I had to find a way out.I found it an allwomen ensemble,the Stree Taal Tharang,was born.We found women for everything mridangam,veena,violin,morching and ghatam.While we do perform in Bangalore,performing at the forthcoming Madras Music Academy festival will be an honour.
How else did you innovate to ensure that ghatam’s up front
The most difficult thing in a Carnatic concert is to make people sit and listen to laya vinayasam.When it is the turn of the mridangam and ghatam,people walk out.I had to find a way out to make them stay,had to innovate.I brought six ghatams together and started playing melody on them at one go.Ghata Tharang is what I call it.It made a difference.People began to sit and listen.It is a first in percussion.No one plays melody on the ghatam.I had promised myself to move the ghatam from number five to number one.I am on the way to do that.Ghatam cannot and will not remain on the margins.
You are a Mathematics degree holder.How does it figure in music
Lekkachara is always fun even if it’s integral to music.What’s better than indulging in permutations and combinations to make phrases I enjoy making korvais thoroughly.
What’s your advice to students
Work hard.There is no alternative.
Do you have a woman student
Interesting you should ask.Very recently,I got my first woman student,the first in my 30 years of playing the ghatam.
Does it say something about women and ghatam
I am happy she has taken up the ghatam.But I’m aware there are very few women who do it.That’s precisely the odds.Braving that speaks for character and conviction.The impression that ghatam is masculine is very fundamental and changing it will be the challenge.
toiblr.reporter@timesgroup.com
source: http://www.mobiletoi.timesofindia.com / E-Paper / The Times of India / Home> Times of India / Prashanth G. N, TNN / August 03rd, 2009
