Monthly Archives: February 2018

Nadoja honour for sarod maestro Rajiv Taranath

Kannada University Hampi will be conferring the prestigious ‘Nadoja’ title (equivalent to honorary D. Litt degree) on sarod maestro Rajiv Taranath, in recognition of his contribution in the field of classical music.

Governor Vajubhai Vala, who is Chancellor of the university, will be awarding the degree at the 26th Nudi Habba (convocation) to be held on Saturday on the university campus at 5.30 p.m., according to Mallika Ghanti, Vice-Chancellor.

A total of 299 students, including 91 Ph.D., would be conferred degrees.

Meena Chandavarkar, former Vice-Chancellor of Akkamahadvi Women University, will be delivering the convocation address.

Basavaraj Rayaraddi, Minister for Higher Education and Pro-Chancellor, will be present.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Karnataka / by Special Correspondent / Hampi – March 08th, 2018

MIT scores hat-trick of wins at IIMB fest

Students of Manipal Institute of Technology who took part in IIM Bangalore’s cultural fest. | Photo Credit: handout_mail
Students of Manipal Institute of Technology who took part in IIM Bangalore’s cultural fest. | Photo Credit: handout_mail

Students of Manipal Institute of Technology (MIT) emerged with flying colours at the just concluded IIM Bangalore cultural fest, Unmaad. A press release issued by the Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) here on Tuesday said that it was a hat-trick of wins for MIT at the fest, which was held from February 2 to 4.

The students excelled in a number of literary and dramatics events to clinch the overall championship.

The MIT contingent comprised students from first year to the fourth. The performance this year was better than the previous years and what was encouraging was the fact that many first year students prevailed over more seasoned seniors from other colleges.

Aaina Dramatics of MIT managed to clinch the much coveted Curtain Call event, while also bagging the Best Direction and Best Actor awards.

Members of MIT’s Literary, Debate and Quiz Club swept most of the literary events, with Amandeep Singh Kalsi claiming the ‘Best Literary Award’ in addition to his many accolades.

While MIT’s students also shone in the Hindi poetry event, Nishit Singh Chauhan and Vidushee also claimed the elusive titles of Mr. Unmaad and Ms. Unmaad respectively.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Mangaluru / by Special Correspondent / Manipal – February 07th, 2018

A look at how Bengaluru’s Lady Jehangir Kothari Memorial Hall came to be

LadyJahangirhallBF11apr2018

Most of us have crossed the Indian Express Circle umpteen times and hardly notice the surroundings as we are always in a rush. At times, when you are waiting your turn at the chaotic traffic signal, your eyes may catch a glimpse of an old structure with The Lady Jehangir Kothari Memorial Hall written in bold black letters.

The building is usually locked and sometimes is hidden from view with ugly hoardings or banners screaming out various sales that are conducted in the complex, almost robbing the building off its beauty. Be it books or saris, umpteen exhibitions and sales are conducted here. It is only when you venture into the complex, that you notice the beautiful architecture.

It has a small veranda with tall pillars at the entrance. Once inside, in spite of the huge stacks or rows of products put up for sale, you will see the pretty white interiors. It has a high ceiling with large open windows all around. It also has a tiny room inside and little platform in the main wing. The building is predominantly white – right from the walls, windows, doors and even the pillars – all of which have turned a pale grey over the years due to pollution and dust.

The building, initially, was built by Sir Jehangir in memory of his wife, Lady Goolbai Kothari. According to Parsi history, Jehangir was a globetrotter and came to Bengaluru with his wife who is believed to have fallen ill and died here.

Sir Jehangir built the place not just as a memorial for his late wife, but also as a place where Parsis could get together for parties and also celebrate their events and functions.

It is believed to have been built with a donation of ₹25,000 and started functioning in 1932.

Normally, the hall is given out for parties and events for the Parsi community. But, as the place “does not provide the proper facilities for such grandeur, most Parsis prefer conducting their weddings and functions outside,” says a representative.

“It was started as a Parsi club, initially. And, now is also open to outsiders for fairs. Some Parsi families also celebrate Navroz and Pateti here,” he adds.

So, the next time, you walk into The Lady Jehangir Kothari Hall, remember that you are walking into a slice of Parsi history.

Where we discover hidden and not so hidden nooks and crannies of the city.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Bengaluru / by Shilpa Sebastian / February 06th, 2018

Two-day Rani Abbakka Utsava from today

The annual two-day Rani Abbakka Utsava will be held at Kolya near Someshwar from February 3. It will be inaugurated by writer Vaidehi.

Chandrahas Rai B., Assistant Director, Kannada and Culture Department, Dakshina Kannada, said the programme will begin with a procession of folk artistes from Bhagavati English Medium School to the Rani Abbakka Utsava Grounds at 3 p.m.

After the inauguration at 5 p.m., there will be a cultural competition. There will also be State-level women wrestling competition and district-level football competition.

On February 4, a seminar on ‘Freedom movement and role of women’ will be inaugurated by journalist R. Poornima at 10.30 a.m. There will be a talk by Meenakshi Ramachandra on ‘Thoughts and war strategies of Rani Abbakka’.

A multilingual poet meet of women will be held at 3 p.m. Writer Sara Aboobacker and actor Vinaya Prasad will receive Rani Abbakka awards, he said.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States / by Special Correspondent / Mangaluru – February 03rd, 2018

Kalaburagi student honoured with Junior Scientist Award

Praveen Kumar V., a geology student from Central University of Karnataka (CUK), Kalaburagi, has been honoured with the Junior Scientist Award of 2017 for his research on the earth and the environment.

The award was conferred by International Foundation of Environment and Ecology (IFEE), Kolkata, at the fourth international seminar held at Guwahati, Assam, recently.

Mr. Kumar was the one among the ten students and the only one from Karnataka selected for the award that is given to young achievers under the age of 32 in the field of earth sciences.

A joint committee of Association of Indian Universities, New Delhi and IFEE, Kolkata, had been formed to select the achievers for the award.

Groundwater recharge

The CUK authorities said that Mr. Kumar’s research on earth and environment, particularly on artificial recharge of groundwater, water management and conservation, hydrology, solid waste management, the impact of solid waste on surface water and disparity in rains had got him the prestigious award.

With an M.Sc. and a B.Sc. in geology from CUK, Mr. Kumar is presently pursuing a Ph.D. under the guidance of Mohammad Aslam at CUK. University Vice-Chancellor H.M. Maheshwaraiah, in a release, congratulated the young scientist and expressed his commitment to create a conducive and research-friendly environment in CUK.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Karnataka / by Staff Reporter / Kalaburagi – February 21st, 2018

Kanaka Durgamma Sidi in Ballari

Thousands of devotees witnessing the Sri Kanaka Durgamma Sidi in Ballari on Tuesday
Thousands of devotees witnessing the Sri Kanaka Durgamma Sidi in Ballari on Tuesday

Tens of thousands of devotees congregated to witness the annual Sri Kanaka Durgamma Sidi here on Tuesday.

Sri Kanaka Durgamma is the principal deity of the city and devotees spread across not only Ballari but also from neighbouring Andhra Pradesh come to witness the event and also worship the goddess.

As has been the practice during the Sidi Bandi festival, an idol, symbolising evil, is hung on a pole with hooks, and tied to a cart pulled by three pairs of bullocks, owned by the Ganiga community, and taken round the temple thrice with the belief that it would protect all from evils.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Karnataka / by Special Correspondent / Ballari – February 28th, 2018