Category Archives: Arts, Culture & Entertainment

Sneha Kiran … Celebrating 10 years of service

Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education, Inspiration/ Positive News and Features

SnehaKiranBF31jan2014

by S.N.Venkatnag Sobers

Mysore :

Not many organisations come forward to work for the noble cause of bringing up special children and make them lean an independent life. Mysore has a few organisations working for special kids. Their endeavours may yield success or fail. But, the efforts put in by them cannot be ruled out. One such organisation is Sneha Kiran.

Sneha Kiran is a part of Mysore Spastic Society which was started in the year 2002 and has been working for children with Cerebral Palsy (CP). The organisation was started by a group of philanthropists, professionals, volunteers, and parents of children with CP with the objective to cater to the needs of such children.

Earlier, Sneha Kiran was working in a space which was donated by Raghunath, President of Sneha Kiran. But now, the organisation has its own building in Bogadi, where around 70 special children with CP are being looked after by the volunteers. Sneha Kiran is the only centre committed to provide help and solace to the families of such children in and around Mysore.

Every good work has an inspiration. For Sneha Kiran the inspiration was Joel, who was affected with Cerebral Palsy and happens to be the son of A.P. James, the Director of Sneha Kiran.

Speaking to Star of Mysore, James said that it was Joel who inspired him to start the organisation. “I used to visit various places for Joel’s treatment. One day a thought struck my mind and I decided to start an organisation to cater to the needs of the children with Cerebral Palsy and that is how Sneha Kiran came into being,” he added.

Sneha Kiran admits children from three years onwards. Children are subjected to various rehabilitation programmes to make them self-dependent. Although there is no cure for Cerebral Palsy, these rehabilitation programmes could avoid their condition from getting worse.

“Children with Cerebral Palsy should be treated as children with problems not problem children. For them, therapy is a way of life and there is a need to try and develop their skills similar to that of normal kids. People should accept them like they accept any other kids. For children affected with cerebral palsy, therapy has to be regular and upgraded accordingly,” said Shashikala Ramnath, an Occupational Therapist.

It is also important that the normal kids interact with these children once in a while so that these children are allowed to gel well with them and such ventures would also help the special children to be accepted by the society.

Sneha Kiran will be celebrating its 10th anniversary tomorrow and a special event has been organised at Silent Shores in this regard.

What is Cerebral Palsy?

It is a term used to describe a group of chronic conditions affecting body movement and muscle co-ordination. It is caused by damage to one or more specific areas of brain, usually occurring during foetal development, before, during or shortly after the birth or during infancy. These children may have the following problems depending on their severity of the brain damage: Delayed milestones, difficulty in posture and movement, muscle tightness or spasm, involuntary movement, impaired hand functions, impaired sight, hearing and speech, seizures and mental retardation. Although the brain damage is non progressive, if left without intervention, the degree of disability faced by the child will increase as the child grows. All the CP children need some rehabilitation to help them to lead a normal within the limits of their condition.

Every student at Sneha Kiran is provided with Physio-Occupational and Speech Therapy, Special Education and Pre-vocational Training. Other inputs include Sensory Stimulation, Functional Academics, Assistive Technology (Use of Specialised adapted devices for computer use), Respite care, Parent counseling and Guidance.

At Sneha Kiran, various rehabilitation programmes are being organised:

• Special education: This begins with sensory-stimulation, classroom programmes, environmental awareness, pre-academics skills to syllabus oriented study. Pre-vocational training for young adults who aspire to working in a community or be a part of sheltered workshop.

• Physio-therapy: To develop control of limbs, improve balance and work for better voluntary skills and muscle strength.

• Occupational therapy: Improve Hand function, self-help skills, aids and adaptations to enable seating, functional skills, mobility and independence to survive.

• Speech and communication: Most children with CP need speech therapy using speech production gestures and pointing skills, to point at pictures, symbols and written words to communicate. This is part of Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC). The computer is also a useful tool to aid this communication.

• Assistive Technology: Enabling the use of computers by special access switches for those who are unable to use the keyboard. These include Ball Mouse, flat switch pads that can be pressed easily by various parts of the body. Children can enjoy simple games, cause and effect interaction and then move on to academic programme. The software is specialised to be slower in speed with word prediction features. This technology opens up the world to children who have CP.

Sneha Kiran has specialised equipments like CP chairs, wheel-chairs, specialised Physio equipments, special keyboards and software in order to carry out these activities. Sneha Kiran also provides transportation facilities to the children free of cost. At present, around 70 children are being trained at Sneha Kiran.

Sneha Kiran, is supported wholly by donations from well-wishers. Children go on outings and picnics regularly. Even the parents and staff have picnics to rejuvenate themselves.

Students of Sneha Kiran have also participated in Special Olympics and other events organised by Govt. departments, Rotary and other NGO’S.

Art, music and dance is an integral part of the curriculum which adds colour and joy to the lives of these children.

Those interested in supporting this cause may contact:

Sneha Kiran, CA-01/ B, Railway Layout, Sharada Nagar, Bogadi Mysore-570 026 or call Ph: 0821-2581113 or Mob: 98440-43965. [e-mail:spasticmysore@yahoo.co.in or snehakiranmysore@gmail.com or visit www.mysorespasticsociety.com]

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Feature Articles / January 25th, 2014

Noted Sanskrit scholar Ranganatha Sharma dead

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education

SharmaBF31jan2014

Mysore :

Noted Sanskrit Scholar Mahamahopadyaya Dr. Vid. N. Ranganatha Sharma (98) passed away at his son’s residence in Kuvempunagar here early this morning.

He is survived by two sons — Sadananda, a retired Syndicate Bank Regional Manager and Dr. Nagabushan, a skin specialist at Bangalore — daughters Dr. Sharada and Prof. Jayashree, both residing in the US and a host of relatives and friends. His wife had pre-deceased him several years ago. Last rites were performed at Chirashanthidhama in Gokulam this afternoon, according to family sources.

Ranganatha Sharma’s Profile: Born to an agricultural family at Nadahalli village in Soraba taluk of Shimoga district on 7.4.1916, Vid. Ranganatha Sharma began his career at Chamarajendra Sanskrit College in Bangalore, where he served for nearly 40 years.

He was staying at his elder son Sadananda’s residence at Kuvempunagar for the last couple of years.

A prolific writer, Dr. Ranganatha Sharma was credited with over 80 works, including Kannada translation of Sanskrit version of Valmiki Ramayana and other Sanskrit works on Vishnu Purana, Srimad Bhagavatha, Amarakosha, Bhartruhari etc.

Among the many awards and prizes he has won include Best Teacher Award both at the State and National level, DVG Memorial Award, Tirupati Sanskrit University Award and Hon. Doctorate from Karnataka Sanskrit University, Bangalore.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / January 25th, 2014

Agam and Aks take the stage in Bangalore this weekend

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Records, All

This weekend, Bangalore-based bands Agam and Aks will take the stage at CounterCulture at 8 pm to give music lovers in the city a taste of fusion music.

Agam is a multiple award-winning contemporary Carnatic rock act from Bangalore, which is most famous for being the first band from the city to be featured on Coke Studio . The band’s name comes from the ancient Tamil word meaning ‘the inner self’. Agam’s music encapsulates the boundless, vibrant emotions of the human psyche. Aks is an Indo-Asian rock/fusion act from Bangalore that has been on the music scene since March 2011. They make music pertaining to Indian folk/fusion, with an underlying base of rock/blues.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India/ Home> Entertainment> Kannada> Music / TNN / January 17th, 2014

State girls sweep Miss South India titles

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Records, All

 

Abhishikta Shetty
Abhishikta Shetty

Abhishikta Shetty of Karnataka has been crowned Miss South India 2014. Aditi Shetty and Meghana Shetty, also from Karnataka, were adjudged the first and second runners-up at the 11th Edition of Miss South India Pageant organised by Pegasus here last night.

Ms. Shetty was crowned by the last year’s title winner Anusha Venkataraman of Tamil Nadu, Pegasus founder chairman Ajith Ravi said in a release on Sunday. R. Raxshmi won the Miss Queen Andhra Pradesh title while Darshithmita Gowda won the Miss Queen Karnataka, Archana Jayakrishnan the Miss Queen Kerala and Shree Iraa bagged the Miss Tamil Nadu titles, it said.

The pageant was judged by Miss World Parvathy Omanakuttan, film director Major Ravi, Mrs. India Jeemole Jaibin, actor and fashion designer Sajimon Parayil and Media personality Toshma Biju.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Bangalore / by PTI / Coimbatore – January 20th, 2014

Sahitya Sambhrama takes a leaf out of Jaipur litfest

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

Dharwad :

The literary and cultural hub of Karnataka is all set to host the three-day literary festival — Dharwad Sahitya Sambhrama — beginning on Friday at the picturesque Karnatak University campus.

The mega event will be conducted on the lines of the Jaipur Litertature Festival with modifications to suit local conditions. This is the second edition of the festival.

The first meet had been a tremendous success last year despite protests and threats by a section of literary buffs. A section of the literary circle had taken umbrage at the fest, alleging that it was being organized for the ‘elites’.

Patil Puttappa, president of Karnataka Vidyavardhaka Sangha, had claimed that the event had commercial overtones. He had questioned the rationale behind the collection of fee from delegates and had sought a probe into it.

Some activists under the banner of the Forum of Progressive Writers and Organizations had threatened to organize a parallel literary meet. Following intervention by veteran writers, though, they opted to hold their proposed meet on a later date.

Puttappa, however, has continued to express his displeasure with this edition as well. He has complained that the meet does not have a discussion on the medium of instruction to be adopted at primary schools in the state. “The issue is a burning one. It is common sense that the medium of instruction at primary schools should be in the child’s mother tongue (aka the regional language). Some parents are arguing that it is their right to decide what should be the medium for their children. The matter has reached the Supreme Court. The Karnataka government, which has ordered that Kannada be the medium of instruction till class V, should place its arguments effectively. Litterateurs should deliberate on this issue seriously. But, the Sahitya Sambhrama is not discussing this issue. The writers are shirking their responsibility.”

There is no clarity on whether the issue will be taken up during the fest.

Prominent litterateurs — Jnanpith awardee Chandrashekhar Kambar, S L Bhyrappa, Vivek Rai, Narahalli Balasubrahmanya, Siddalingaiah, T S Nagabharana, Nagatihalli Chandrashekhar, H S Venkatesh Murthy, N S Laxminarayan Bhat, film director P Sheshadri, actor Dattatraya, Vivek Shabhag, Jogi, S Shettar, M M Kalburgi, T P Ashok, Channaveera Kanavi, Channanna Walikar, K H Shrinivas, Y S V Datta, K Satyanarayana, Lt Gen (retired) S C Sardeshpande, Madhav Kulkarni, Padmaraj Dandavati, Mallika Ghanti, Hampa Nagarahaiah, B Sukanya, Shatavadhani Ganesh, Jayant Kaikini and Vasudhendra, among others — have confirmed their participation. Girish Karnad will be a part of the audience.

source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Hubli> Mother Tongue / by Gururaj Jamkhandi, TNN / January 17th, 2014

DVG Muktaka Sahitya award to Prof. Lakshminarayana Bhatta

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education, Records, All, Science & Technology
Prof. H.S. Lakshminarayana Bhatta
Prof. H.S. Lakshminarayana Bhatta

Mysore :

Karnataka Muktaka Sahitya Academy, Mysore, will confer the coveted DGV Muktaka Sahitya Award on Prof. H.S. Lakshminarayana Bhatta, popularly known as ‘Kaggada Bhatta’, during its 14th anniversary celebrations to be held on Feb. 16 in city.

Four eminent personalities — Dr. V.S. Sampathkumaracharya (Music), Dr. J.S. Hegde (Medicine), Prof. B.N. Manjunathaiah (Education) and Prof. S. Shivaji Jois (Literature) — who have rendered yeoman service in their recpective fields will be felicitated on the occasion.

Profile of Prof. Bhatta

Born in 1946, Prof. Bhatta is a M.Sc. Degree holder in Physics, a ‘Visharada’ from All India Hindi Prachara Sabha, an ‘Uttama’ from All India Bhagawad Geetha Study Centre, Gorakhpur. He has served as Professor of Physics in Visweshwarapuram Science College, Bangalore and also as Principal of the same college.

He has given a number of discourses and lectures on DVG’s Mankutimmana Kagga and other Muktaka literatures in and outside the State. He has aired a number of programmes on Kagga on Doordarshan and Akashavani and has participated in online programmes with listeners.

Prof. Bhatta has to his credit a number of books on Kannada Literature including his Ghamaghamisuva Vanasuma, DVG – Timmaguruvina Darshana (Gundopanishat). He has received a number of awards and titles for his work in this field.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / January 20th, 2014

Restaurant review: Imli (Indian)

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Travel

Home-style food is rare to come by in a restaurant. Imli succeeds in fulfilling that void. Located at Indiranagar, this place is much sought after by vegetarians.

(Restaurant review: Imli…)
(Restaurant review: Imli…)

Decor 
Imli is one of the hidden secrets of Indiranagar and you might easily miss it unless you happen to drive by this striking yellow corner bungalow with minimalistic decor. Conceived as a casual hangout, it’s an ‘adda’, serving popular snacks and basic chai with a small artists’ corner. Free Wi-Fi access attracts many regular customers who flock here during lunch and evening hours. Try some board games like Scrabble, Jenga or Uno while your food is being prepared.

Food 
Order the Khichdi aur Baigun Bhaaja or Stuffed Moong Dal Cheela and you will remember mom’s cooking. A wide range of parathas is available — stuffed with aloo, gobi, paneer, matar, methi, mooli, pyaaz and papad. Intrigued, we ordered the latter — roasted papad, crumbled and stuffed in a paratha! During lunch and dinner times, they serve a ‘Pet Puja’ Thali, which has phulkas/ rice, two vegetables of the day, dal, roasted papad, vinegared onions, dessert and some amazing pickles. Soya Pulao is flavoursome and very popular. Baingan Bharta, Missi Roti and one of their many seasonal fruit Lassis is a combination hard to beat. The owners take pride in their home-style food and are present to greet you most of the time. Chaats are well represented here, including our favourite — the Kolkata-style Jhal Muri, with just the right amount of sharp mustard oil. Or simply drop in here to snack a little and have one of their many varieties of chai.

Service 
The wait staff is well trained, so expect good service.

Plus and minus 
Very few places in Bangalore can match up to the ‘Ghar ka Swad’ taste here. Service can be patchy on busy days.

Venue: Imli, 204, 5th Main, 7th Cross, Indiranagar I Stage, Bangalore — 560038
Meal for two: `700
Timings: 11 am-11 pm

Rating 
Food: 3.5
Service: 3.5
Decor: 3

Must try: Papad Paratha, Pet Puja Thali and Jhal Muri

source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> Life & Style> Food> Indiranagar / by Suresh Hinduja, TNN / January 18th, 2014

Mangalore: Conference marking Kamaladevi Chattopadhyaya’s 110th year begins

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Inspiration/ Positive News and Features

Mangalore :

A three-day conference on women organized by Konkani Language and Cultural Foundation in commemoration of the 110th year of social reformer and freedom fighter Kamaladevi Chattopadhyaya got under way at Nehru Maidan here on Thursday January 9. The conference has been organized as part of the ongoing NBT book fair.

Basti Vaman Shenoy, president of World Konkani Centre welcomed the guests.

Speaking after inaugurating the conference, Kannada writer Padma M Shenoy said, “Mangalore abounds with culture and writers, which is very good. They serve as a guidance for the youth.”

She further said that women’s writing today is improving and as they are sharing their work openly.

Commenting on the issues and problems prevalent today, “In these days in newspapers we only read about gang-rape, molestation, kidnapping and many more bad things. Criminals who are doing all this must be dragged on to the streets and have their faces exposed to everyone,” she said.

“Woman is everything in this world. It is a shame that the youth of our country are involved in bad habits,” she added.

Books ‘Janara Kathegalu’ by Mumtaz Begum, ‘Vaishaka Fullo’ by Padma Shenoy, ‘Nanna Aduge’ by Geetha Kini and ‘Ajjiya Katha Bhandara’ by Geetha Shenoy were released on the occasion.

Writer Prema Bhat, addressing the gathering, she said “The dais looks very clean with none of the corrupt politicians being invited to the programme.”

“Writing is life and life is writing. It is easy to write your life story when you are not corrupted,” she said.

Writer Dr Vasundhara Bhupathi said “I can see women’s writing conferences happening in a few places. We want the youth to read more novels. They must start reading books. A book provides all the information you need. Kannada is a rich language and everyone must spread Kannada everywhere, in all the places. Mangaloreans are lucky to have good libraries. If a person gets addicted to books, he will stay away from all bad habits. Education must teach social values, and encourage youth to stay away from bad habits. Media is being used for wrong purposes these days.”

Writers Vijayalakshmi B Shetty, Janaki Brahmavar, Karnataka Tulu Academy registrar Chandrahasa Rai B and others were present.

source: http://www.daijiworld.com / Daijiworld.com / Home> Top Stories / by Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (MD) / January 09th, 2014

Manipal to host sports science conference

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education, Sports

Mangalore :

Manipal University will host an international conference on ‘Physical Education and Sports Science’ in Manipal from January 8 to 11.

According to K. Ramnarayan, Vice-Chancellor of Manipal University, the theme of the conference is: ‘Vision 2020 – Global excellence in physical education and sports science.’

The conference will deal with aspects such as pedagogy, psychology, fitness, nutrition, doping, traditional Indian sports, coaching and training, physical education and health in schools, he said, adding that new information and knowledge on these topics will be imparted by the resource persons.

The conference is being organised under the aegis of National Association of Physical Education and Sports Science.

Though the conference begins on January 9, a one-day workshop on ‘Recent advances in fitness appraisal and exercise prescription’ will be conducted on January 8. Oleksandr Krasilshchikov, professor at the School of Health Sciences, University of Sains, Malaysia, will moderate the workshop.

Dayanand Pai, treasurer of Karnataka State Cricket Association, will inaugurate the conference on January 9. Ramdas M. Pai, Chancellor of Manipal University, will be the chief guest on the occasion, he said.

Around 450 delegates have already registered for the conference, he said.

source: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com / Business Line / Home> Industry> Education / by The Hindu Bureau      vinayak.aj@thehindu.co.in / Mangalore – January 05th, 2014

Mangalore: Shahida Aslam elected president of National Women’s Front

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Leaders

Mangalore:

Mangalore-based woman activist Shahida Aslam has been unanimously elected the new president of National Women’s Front. She was the Karnataka state unit president of the organisation.

The announcement was made at the third national general council of the organization that was held on Sunday at Malabar House, Puttanathani in Kerala.

ShahidaAslamMPos21jan2014

Aslam, who holds a master degree in mass communication and journalism, is a freelance journalist from Mangalore. She was part of the editorial board of Prastutha, a Mangalore-based Kannada fortnightly. She also had worked for a women’s monthly magazine.She was also an office-bearer of Karnataka women’s writers forum. She presented a paper titled ‘Muslim women in public space’ at an international conference organised at Calicut by institute of objective studies, Delhi. She had also worked as a member of several fact finding teams for human rights organisation and women’s rights organisation.

Alima Fathima from Tamil Nadu and Fareeda Hasan from Kerala have been chosen as the vice president and general secretary of the NWF respectively.

The council started with the introduction by the national president Shahida Tasnim. She said, “The last two years of the organization were the years of growth. We were successful in reaching new places and setting state committees in Goa and Andhra Pradesh. The organization also received good response from women activists from Delhi which has encouraged us to take our movement to the northern part of India in the coming term.”

The leadership oath to the president was given by the returning officer. The newly elected president administered the oath to the newly elected office bearers and national committee member. The programme concluded with the valedictory speech of the newly elected president Aslam, who motivated the members to put in more efforts for the protection of rights and social justice.

The general elected a 13-member national committee and also the new office bearers. The new leadership is as below:

1. Shahida Aslam Karnataka – President
2. Alima Fathima Tamil Nadu – Vice-president
3. Fareeda Hasan Kerala – General secretary
4. Shifa Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu – Secretary
5. Shahida Tasnim, Karnataka – Treasurer
6. Zainaba Ali, Kerala – National committee member
7. Asiya Maryam, Tamil Nadu – National committee member
8. Nousheera Karnataka – National committee member
9. Atiya Firdos, Delhi – National committee member
10. Shareena Najib, Kerala – National committee member
11. Habeeba Usman, Kerala – National committee member
12. Rehana, Goa – National committee member
13. Safiya Erode, Tamil Nadu – National committee member
The following resolutions were passed by the national general council:

1. Provide security, justice and rehabilitation to Muzaffarnagar riot victims: The NGC of NWF demanded the immediate rehabilitation and adequate protection of the riot victims of Muzaffarnagar. The government failed to attend the basic needs of the people displaced from their homes and native villages. The NGC strongly believes that rehabilitating the families thrown out of their native villages along with providing security to their lives and properties is the primary task the government has to fulfil. The NGC demands the UP government to take immediate steps to solve the humanitarian crisis and fulfill is promises.

2. Pass the Communal Violence Bill in the upcoming parliament session : The country has been infected by the deadly virus of communalism since independence. This in turn resulted in various communal riots which has caused an extreme loss to the country and especially to the Muslim community. After every riots the culprits go scot free and no legal action is taken on them. Such negligence by the law authorities has only increases the confidence of the communal fascist forces. The demand for the communal violence bill is a long pending demand which has only seen promises but no actions. The NGC of NWF demands that the government immediately brings into effect a powerful communal violence bill in the upcoming Lok Sabha session and take quick steps for its implementation.

3. Take immediate steps for protection of women: Since the past few years the issue of rapes has come to the national attention. It is a tragedy that even after so much discussion happening about this issue the government and police has failed miserably to protect the women from such heinous crimes. Every day we see a new incident happening in almost all the cities of country. The cases happening to women from rural and tribal areas not even reported. The NGC of NWF strongly demands the central and state governments to take the issue very seriously and give top priority to the protection of women.

source: http://www.daijiworld.com / DaijiWorld / Home> Top Stories / Press Release / Mangalore – January 20th, 2014