Monthly Archives: August 2016

Noted writer Bola Chittaranjan Das dies of heart attack

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

Mangaluru:

Noted Kannada and Tulu writer Bola Chittaranjan Das Shetty passed away at a hospital here, after he suffered cardiac arrest on Sunday. He was 72.

He is survived by his wife and two children.

Shetty was born in Bola, Karkala taluk of Udupi district, on August 30, 1944. He was the first son of Partimar Guthu Manjayya Shetty and Bola Mathrengi Parari Rukmini Shetty. He was brought up in Mumbai, where he studied till class IX.

Shetty was the president of the 16th Mangalore taluk Kannada Sahitya Sammelan held in 2010. He had written an essay on kambala, a popular rural sport, in 1983.

His other notable works include Ponnu Mann da bombe (Tulu drama); ‘Alidulidavaru’, a Kannada novel on Bunts and Aliyakattu culture, Kudi, a Kannada novel, ‘Neer’ (Tulu drama for children); ‘Binnedi’ about information about ‘Paadana’ , a traditional Tulu artform.

He was the recipient of Rajyotsava Award for literature in 2013.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City> Mangalore / TNN / August 18th, 2016

She teaches you to tie knots and make bows

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy

AnneCF05aug2016

Chennai :

At Ashvita Nirvana in Besant Nagar, at a workshop on crochet making, nearly 12 ladies are hard at work trying to make their own coaster out of crochet. Anne, the instructor for the event, walks around, helping them out in the nuances.

Though having no background in the field, Anne and her husband Rakesh run ‘Happyknots’ crochet business in Bangalore. Anne was in Chennai to conduct a workshop, where City Express caught up with her. A medical transcription trainer for nearly 12 years, her talent in crochet began when she had a baby a few years ago. “Jewellery, hair accessories, clothes, dreamcatchers, curtains, sofa covers….you name it and it can be done the crochet way. Initially, I took the help of a family friend, and later learnt through online tutorials,” she beams. It took nearly five years for Anne to master crochet making.

Anne02CF05aug2016

How many are interested in making crochet? “Crochet is not a dying art; it’s just that people do not have the time and patience to learn it,” she says. “Apart from this, the art can be perfected only through years of practice. Crochet items initially were made only with wool, but today it can be made with any material like, thread, jute fabric.”

As Anne teaches one of the ladies how to start kneading the thread, she says, “Crochet is one art form which relieves us from stress.” But how? She laughs and replies, “When we do this, we are completely occupied; so we avoid thinking about anything else.”

Looking at the accessories she made for her daughter such as hair bands and rubber bands, her family encouraged her to pursue it. Anne began to receive orders which motivated her to start Happyknots. “We don’t get many orders for crochet; only a small percentage of people are interested. Customers prefer works, which have us use our creativity to fuse other forms of art into one,” she smiles.

Anne feels that many people today want to learn the art, but lack training. “More than going for a class and knowing how crochet is done, people need to know the right technique to make the product easily,” she adds.

Anne is known for her fashion accessories and designs (which includes hair and jewellery) using crochet.

For orders, call 09844538518 or visit HappyKnots on FB

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Chennai / Vidya Gowri Venkatesh / August 04th, 2016

They are on a mission to rebuild schools, one at a time

Education, Inspiration/ Positive News and Features, Nri's / Pio's

Bengaluru :

Teachers taking lessons out in the open, owing to dilapidated conditions of government school buildings, coupled with the constant fear of the fragile roof collapsing over their head, was a common sight across Karnataka and Maharashtra for a bunch of IT and other professionals, based in the US, seeking to improve the education system in India.

One School At A Time (OSAAT), set out on a mission to improve schools in the country, where infrastructure translates to decaying walls, absent toilets, crumbling celing and lack of basic amenities. The organisation has been spearheading projects in the two states for more than a decade.

OSAAT-USA was established in 2003 in San Jose bay area, when a group of like-minded IT professionals seeking to build a safe and healthy learning environment in India came together. Its India arm, OSAAT-India was incorporated in 2012, and is headquartered out of Bengaluru. The venture began when OSAAT’s management trustee, Vadiraj Bhatt visited his hometown, Bajagoli village in Karkala, Udupi on a vacation from the USA, around the same time when he and other IT professionals were looking for a specific area to invest their efforts.

“My teacher informed me about a school where students were being taught under a tree. After that, we realised that there are many schools without a proper building. The idea was to embark on something that few or no one had touched in education,” said Bhatt.

Upon returning to Bengaluru for good in 2005, he formed a team of nine equally passionate volunteers of mostly IT and retired professionals. In the space of a decade, OSAAT has rebuilt or completely renovated fifteen schools in Karnataka and rural Maharashtra.

Bhatt pointed out that funds raised by OSAAT-USA account for nearly 90% of the finances for the project. “In India, we have partnered with organisations such as Rotary in Bengaluru, Mysuru and Bhadravathi and POWER in Bijapur, who have helped us get manpower and intelligent engineers, who ensure that the reconstruction of schools is achieved without loopholes,” he added.

Monika Venkateshmurthy, who is championing the cause in the US, said that fund-raising for OSAAT projects in India had turned into an inclusive effort. A hardware engineer by profession, Monika said, “There are people in the city who want to donate but don’t have enough knowledge on how to go about it. When they asked, ‘Why should I spend money for a school 10,000 miles away,’ I explained the value of a single dollar in India.”

Vadiraj’s elder brother, GK Bhatt, who retired as an assistant general manager at Vijaya Bank three years ago, joined his brother and is putting his experience as a banker to use as OSAAT-India’s treasurer, although he also enjoys working with volunteers in the field.

“We have no clue about so many things, unless we see it for ourselves. In one of the schools we worked on recently in Yeshwanthpur, Malur, there was a cow shed adjacent to the school building. The children were exposed to the filth and mosquitoes, due to the poor maintenance of the cow shed,” GK Bhatt said.

Speaking on the road ahead for OSAAT, he added, “We want to take it to the next level by partnering with corporates, who would want to take up such projects under their CSR initiatives. They could donate funds for the purpose and also participate actively in the process, while we rebuild a school.”

‘We want to create a template for the future’
“We want to propose a model – the concept of working on a cluster of schools, like we did in Malur taluk with three schools – to the government. We are aiming at creating a template of work, based on our association with the revenue department, block education officers and panchayat, showing the authorities that this is how work must be taken up in the future. We want to create a blueprint for quality education by emphasising on the need for proper infrastructure.”
– Vadiraj Bhatt | Management Trustee, OSAAT-India

source: http://www.timeofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City> Bangalore / Deepika Burli / TNN / August 07th, 2016

Magic in her fingers

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy

Unique hobbies

ShashiKumbleBF08aug2016

We all have that one person who brings a turning point in our lives and makes us discover something in ourselves that we never even knew existed. For Shashi Kumble, it was her mother, who, she says, was a great teacher. “My mother wanted to make sure that we, me and my two sisters, all learnt something during our summer holidays to ensure that we spent our time productively. Her friend had a tailoring class and we were sent there to learn tailoring. I was not very good at it so she sent me for knitting instead; something which I couldn’t do very well either. It was at that time that crochet caught my fancy.”

What started off as a simple interest soon became a full-fledged passion. Shashi started making many items and these became popular gifting options for her friends, many of whom were getting married at that time. But then life caught up. Her mother passed away, she got married and found a job and forgot all about crochet. “It was only very recently that I took it up again,” she says. “I found my mother’s old knitting books and other paraphernalia one day and suddenly felt the urge to pursue my passion once more. I went with my husband to the Jayanagar market and got the required things and bought a crochet book from Amazon. I had to sort of relearn the entire process because I was so out of touch but I was happy.”

There has been no looking back after that. She made scarves, Afghans and doilies and later on graduated to baskets, cushion covers and bags. Talking about the journey till here, Shashi says, “I did a lot of experimentation initially. Like while making the Afghans, I didn’t go by any particular design but instead, made it very colourful. It was at that time that my apartment held a ‘monsoon mela’ and invited residents to put up stalls. My family kept encouraging me to give it a shot so I went and registered. I had very few things to sell and absolutely zero idea about the price or the cost incurred. But all my items were sold out in a matter of minutes.”

After that, her popularity spread through word-of-mouth and through social media. She started getting a lot of orders from outside as well as from her own relatives, mostly because her products are not the usual run-of-the-mill ones you see. “The baskets I make are in demand because they are so unique,” she says. “The cushion covers, mobile covers and hanging mobiles are also sought-after. I make a variety of bags using wool and thread and I get these lined, stitched and zipped for a professional look. Another distinctive item are the crochet chains with pendants in them. Also, I usually don’t repeat patterns unless specifically asked to do so.”

She has got a lot of appreciation from people. Her colour sense and innovations have garnered her praise, with one person even saying that ‘she has magic in her fingers’. “It is remarks like this which motivate me to continue with this hobby,” says Shashi.

Her products are crossing borders now. Relatives and friends outside the state and even outside the country have been asking for her creations and she has been busy sending these to them. “The scarves are very popular. I am also making them in cotton and silk now. Also, there is a feeling among people that crochet scarves are for women only. That is not true. There are many designs which will suit men also because they are not lacy.”
Talking about one more common misconception, she says that crochet is very different from knitting.

“Knitting is done with two needles, crochet uses only one.” She has included such things alongwith information about her products in her newly-created blog through which she reaches out to interested people. “But the selling is secondary. At the end of the day, I do it for my happiness,” she says, smiling.
(Shashi can be  contacted on 9902270086)

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> Supplements> Metrolife / by Rajitha Menon / DHNS – August 08th, 2016

Molahalli Shiva Rao remembered

Business & Economy

South Canara District Central Cooperative Bank president M.N. Rajendra Kumar on Thursday said that the late Molahalli Shiva Rao, who founded the bank, had been a doyen of the cooperative movement.

He was speaking at the 136th birth anniversary celebrations of Rao organised at the bank in association with Karnataka State Cooperative Federation and Dakshina Kannada District Cooperative Union here. Rao spent 58 years of his life promoting the cooperative movement and had been the president of the bank for 21 years.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Culture> Mangaluru / by Special Correspondent / Mangaluru – August 06th, 2016

Raichur boy’s idea of tree transplantation wins award

Education, Green Initiatives / Environment, Inspiration/ Positive News and Features, Nature, Records, All

Udupi:

A boy from Raichur was declared young scientist of the district for 2015-16 by the Karnataka Rajya Vijnana Parishat. Pampana Gowda, 17, bagged the title for his idea of a machine for shifting trees and also devising fuel-saving technology.

Pampana studies at the SVST High School, Kidiyoor, and represented Udupi district in the contest. Pamoana said people are aware of damage to the environment while cutting a tree for development. They also want to protect trees, but they don’t have the means to shift them.

“This inspired me to come up with a model of a tree-shifting machine,” Pampana said. The teenager is sure his model will be an asset to protect the environment. “The project needs a crane and a blade. Depending on the size of the tree, a suitable blade will be used. The machine will lift not only the tree roots but also the mud surrounding the tree. The project cost will be around Rs 2 lakh,” he said.

He also devised fuel-saving technology using two metal cylinders, one filled with petrol and the other with water. It’s a better option than a gas cylinder and environmentally-friendly too. “I’m working on an improved model. I want to be an engineer,” he added.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City> Mangalore / August 06th, 2016

Raman Fellowship to JSS S&T Varsity Professor

Education, Science & Technology, World Opinion

DrMahanandBF05jul2016

Mysuru  :

Dr. B.S. Mahanand, Associate Professor, Department of Information Science and Engineering, JSS Science and Technology (JSS S&T) University, has received the Raman Fellowship from University Grants Commission, Government of India, to pursue post-doctoral research at the prestigious Harvard Univer- sity, USA. He left for Harvard University today.

His research at Harvard University focuses on identifying imaging biomarkers responsible for Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. He will be developing advance procedures for tracking of Alzheimer’s as well as towards understanding of the mechanisms that cause the disease. Dr. Mahanand has researched on a unique amalgamated area of engineering and medicine; the detection of Alzheimer’s disease using machine learning approaches.

In his previous achievements, Dr. Mahanand was awarded with Visiting Research Fellowships at Helsinki University of Technology, Finland (2007); Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (2012) and Visiting Scientist at National Magnetic Resonance Research Centre, Bilkent University, Turkey (2015).

He is also conferred with Best Ph.D Thesis Award (2012-13) from Karnataka government’s Board for IT Education Standards. His visit to Harvard will help JSS S&T University in creating avenues for interdisciplinary and user-oriented research, development of joint research and faculty exchange programmes.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / July 30th, 2016

Using light for cancer treatment

Education, Records, All, Science & Technology

IISc scientists develop new bio-molecule to treat cancer using light as a source for burning away malignant cells

Conventional cancer treatment methods of surgery, chemotherapy and radiation — known as cut, slash and burn for the brutal side-effects they cause on patients — are largely unsuccessful in differentiating between healthy non-cancerous cells and tumour-causing cells.

A team of scientists from the Indian Institute of Science have developed a new bio-molecule that can help treat cancer using light as a source for burning away malignant cells, a method which is more successful at targeting only cancerous cells.

This bio-molecule can be used in a relatively new form of cancer treatment known as photodynamic therapy, where a chemical (called a photosensitiser) is used kill small groups of cells. Put simply, the new molecule acts as a photosensitiser, which when exposed to a specific wavelength of light, gets triggered and kills nearby cancerous cells, leaving healthy cells intact, according to an IISc release.

Akhil R. Chakravarty, professor at the Department of Inorganic and Physical Chemistry, IISc, and his team are behind the development. The major benefit is that medical professionals have more control over which cells are targeted in the patient’s body. “Photodynamic therapy kills off cancer cells selectively, meaning toxicity to healthy cells can be reduced,” Dr. Chakravarthy told The Hindu.

Multiple methods

The bio-molecule, a vanadium (chemical element) containing complex molecule, targets cancerous cells through multiple methods: it carries a separable chloride ion due to which it caused cross-linking in DNA, leading to cell death. Cross-linking occurs when chemical agents react at two different positions in the DNA.

The molecule, when exposed to visible light, also generates a form of oxygen which can kill nearby cells. The team found that this bio-molecule was non-toxic in normal cells. This has major implications in the field of cancer treatment as existing treatments cause indiscriminate harm to healthy living cells, along with cancerous cells.

“Photodynamic therapy is an emerging field of cancer treatment. It may take some time for doctors in India to start using it,” said Dr. Chakravarthy. Their research was published in the July edition of peer-reviewed journal MedChemComm, produced by the Royal Society of Chemistry, United Kingdom.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Bengaluru / by Staff Reporter / Bengaluru – August 05th, 2016

‘This is my school and I am proud of it’

Education, Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Inspiration/ Positive News and Features, Records, All

GovtModelSchoolGuluruBF05aug2016

But just two years ago, the Government Model Higher Primary School in Guluru was a crumbling edifice lacking basic infrastructure

A 108-year-old government school at Guluru in Tumakuru taluk has embraced modernity gracefully and has become a model for others. Just two years ago, the Government Model Higher Primary School was a crumbling edifice lacking basic infrastructure. However, today it boasts of computer labs, airy classrooms, a library, science labs, separate toilets for boys and girls, and all other amenities offered by private schools that charge hefty tuition fees.

“We proudly tell our friends who go to private schools that we work on computers,” says Nethravathi. V. G, an eighth standard student. Like his friends, he can’t get over the fact that till recently, their school was in a dilapidated state with broken tiles, leaky roofs and cracks in walls.

Worried about the safety of their children, villagers approached MLA Suresh Gowda seeking a new school building. Mr. Gowda sanctioned Rs. 80 lakh from the MLA LAD (Local Area Development) funds.

MLC Lehar Singh offered Rs. 10 lakh and former minister V. Somanna contributed Rs. 5 lakh towards construction of a new building. L&T, an Indian MNC, offered Rs. 10 lakh as part of its corporate social responsibility initiative, which is being used to pay the salaries of LKG and UKG teachers, the computer teacher and a sweeper.

“Earlier, our friends used to make fun and tease us, as we were studying in an old building. But now, we are happy to show them our new school,” said Vinutha N., a seventh standard student.

The co-ed school, which has LKG, UKG and classes from I to VIII, has a total strength of 282. The pride of the school is the computer laboratory, which has 20 computers and Wi-Fi connection.

Another student Akbar Khan adds, “Seeing us in such a nice building, now my friends want to join our school.”

Headmistress N. Hemavathi says, “After the revamp, we have been getting applications from students of private schools nearby.”

The school will be celebrating its 108th anniversary on Friday.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Bengaluru / by S. B huvaneshwari / Bengaluru – August 05th, 2016

Star this week : Talented TT Player : Ullas Naik

Records, All, Sports, World Opinion

UllasNaikBF05aug2016

Table Tennis is a global sport which is popular in the world sporting scene. It needs excellent hand and eye co-ordination combined with skill and physical fitness to excel in the higher level. Mysuru has always been producing talented players who have gone on to represent the country and the State in different events in this popular sport.

One such talented table tennis player is our city’s youngster Ullas Naik, who has made every-one proud with his feats by representing India in the World Deaf Table tennis Championships 2016 held at Samsan, Turkey, from July 18-24, 2016 and won the men’s doubles bronze medal teaming up with Tanuj Mukherjee. An excellent performance in the world arena by this youngster from our city is a fit choice for this week’s ‘Star This Week.’

Ullas Naik, 24, is the son of Udhayshankar and Prafulla, who reside in Saraswathipuram, Mysuru. Ullas Naik who cannot hear from a young age, took up to Table Tennis in 2002, when his mother took him to Umesh Urs, the chief coach at the Harsha Table Tennis Centre in Kuvempunagar.

Umesh has been coaching him since then giving him all the needed encouragement and is responsible for his improvement in the sport.

Ullas Naik, a II year B.Arch. student at the University School of Design at the Manasagangotri, Mysuru, representing India in the World Deaf TT championships 2016 at Turkey from July 18-24, 2016, won bronze in the men’s doubles. Earlier in 2013, he had represented India in the Deaf Olympics in Bulgaria and in 2006 had represented India in the Friendly International Tournament at Pakistan and won gold in the men’s singles event.

Earlier, Ullas Naik, did his Diploma in Architecture in JSS Ploytechnic and was encouraged to the maximum by HOD Chandrashekar to pursue his sporting interests.

Ullas also takes part in the State Ranking TT Championships when he finds time now and earlier was regularly taking part in the Championships from time to time and has won medals.

He has been supported and encouraged well by his parents, coach Umesh Urs (HTTA), the Mysuru University and PG Sports Centre in continuing to play this sport in the highest level.

Ullas Naik intends to continue playing this sport and aims to perform well in the National and International level for the country. This multi-talented lad needs to be encouraged and hope he goes on to achieve greater laurels in this sport in the days to come.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Sports News / July 31st, 2016