Daily Archives: October 1, 2016

Eminent psychiatrist Ashok Pai dies at 69

Leaders, Records, All, Science & Technology

Shivamogga :

Noted psychiatrist, chairman of the state’s mental health task force and award-winning film producer, Dr KA Ashok Pai, died of a massive heart attack in Scotland in the early hours of Friday. The 69-year-old was at an international conference with his wife Dr Rajani Pai.

According to his family, Pai, who landed in Scotland three days ago, had a heart problem on Thursday night and was rushed to hospital  where he passed away. His body is expected to reach Shivamogga on Saturday or early Sunday.

Pai was committed to promoting mental health among people and set up the Manasa Trust, which treated lakhs of patients suffering from mental diseases. He would produce films which highlighted the problems of mental health. His films Prathama Ushakirana and Kadina Benki and tele-serial Antarala  bagged awards.

Pai was a writer, brilliant orator, TV presenter on psychoanalysis, environmentalist/filmmaker Suresh Heblikar said. Pai felt psychiatry shouldn’t be restricted within the confines of a counselling chamber… he wanted to popularize it as a treatment available to all, he added.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India /News Home> City News> Bangalore / TNN / October 01st, 2016

Kannada Litterateur Dejagow no more

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Inspiration/ Positive News and Features, Leaders, Records, All

Suttur Seer Sri Shivarathri Deshikendra Swamiji, who paid his last respect to Dejagow yesterday, is seen consoling the litterateur’s son Prof. J. Shashidar Prasad (third from right). Writer Bannur K. Raju, Sanskrit University VC Prof. Padma Shekar, writer K. Bhyravamurthy, MLA Vasu, Kannada Activist M.B. Vishwanath and others are seen.

DejagowBF01jun2016

Mysuru :

Noted senior Kannada writer and former Vice-Chancellor of University of Mysore (UoM), Nadoja Prof. D. Javaregowda, popularly known as Dejagow, passed away at a hospital here on Monday. He was 98.

He leaves behind his son J. Shashidhar Prasad, former Vice-Chancellor of UoM and daughter Shashikala, who is settled abroad. His wife Savithramma had predeceased him a few years ago.

Dejagow was admitted to Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research here on Saturday night after he suffered ‘heart failure.’ Though he was in the Intensive Care Unit of the hospital, his condition worsened on Monday and he passed away around 7 pm, according to hospital sources.

Born to Devegowda and Chennamma couple at Chakkere in Channapatna Taluk of Ramanagar District on July 8, 1918, Dejagow, who completed his education at Channapatna and Bengaluru, was later influenced by poet-laureate Kuvempu.

After earning his MA Degree in Kannada, he served the UoM as Professor and has nearly 400 works to his credit, which included Kabbigara Kava, Ramanatha Charite, Leelavathi Prabandham, Hammu Bimmu, Nenapu Kahiyalla and Purathana among others. Dejagow rose to become Vice-Chancellor of the University in 1969 and served till 1975.

In recognition of his contribution to Kannada, the State Government honoured him with ‘Karnataka Ratna’ and ‘Papma’ awards. He was also honoured with ‘Nadoja’ title.

His key contributions included establishing ‘Prasaranga’ — the publication wing of UoM — said to be the first such experiment in South India and giving a fillip to the study of folklore by introducing the subject in both Under-Graduate and Post-Graduate courses, besides setting up a Folklore Museum in the Manasagangotri campus.

The writer revered poet laureate Kuvempu as his guru and followed him.

Dejagow played a big role in pressurising the Union Government to accord the Classical language status to Kannada and in securing Government’s nod to allow candidates to answer KPSC exams in Kannada language.

Dejagow, who played a vital role in getting the Classical language status for Kannada, had sat on a hunger strike for the cause. He had also threatened to return his awards if Kannada failed to get its due.

He was credited with introducing Kannada as a medium of instruction for UG science courses at Yuvaraja’s College, Mysuru.

The writer was awarded ‘Padmashri’ for his contribution to the literary world. Dejagow is considered, perhaps, the only writer in the country to write preface to nearly 10,000 books.

Dejagow was the only Vice-Chancellor who participated in street protests to further the cause of Kannada, while holding office. He had taken part in agitations demanding Karnataka’s fair share in the Cauvery water dispute and seeking safe release of Kannada matinee idol Dr. Rajkumar from forest brigand Veerappa’s clutches in the year 2000.

A votary of Kannada, he was the Chairman of Akhila Braratha Kannada Sahitya Sammelana held at Bengaluru in 1970. He was also a recipient of Gorur award in 2003.

District Minister V. Sreenivasa Prasad, MP Pratap Simha, UoM Vice-Chancellor Prof. K.S. Rangappa, Karntaka Sanskrit University VC Dr. Padma Shekar, writers Prof. K. Bhyravamurthy, C.P. Krishna Kumar and Malali Vasanthkumar, MLA Vasu, Suttur Seer Sri Shivarathri Deshikendra Swamiji were among the dignitaries who visited the writer’s house in Jayalakshmipuram.

Incidentally, Dejagow died on the same date as that of his wife Savithramma, who passed away 10 years ago on May 30, 2006.

Following Savithramma’s death, Dejagow had instituted an award in her name, which was given to women achievers from different fields every year.

An insightful documentary

‘Kannadada Kattalu Dejagow,’ a 30-minute documentary made by award-winning Director Kesari Harvoo for the Information Department, provides an insight into the life, works and contributions of Dejagow to the cause of Kannada. Besides capturing landmark locations in Mysuru where Dejagow severed in his long career as an educationist and writer, Harvoo had also documented the ambience of Chakkere in Channapatna taluk where he was born and brought-up and the Central College in Bengaluru where he studied.

Prominent works of Nadoja

Dejagow’s works include Sahitya Nayasenana Dharmamruta Sangraha, Lakshmishana Jaimini Bharata, Kanakadasara Nalacharitre, Andayyana Kabbigara Kavya, Chikkupadyayana Rukmangada Charitre, Nemichandrana Leelavati Prabhanda, Janapada Adhyayana, Janapada Soundarya, Janapada Vahini, Janapada Geetanjali.

He has translated novels including Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice (Hammu Mathu Bimmu), Krishna Hathi Singh’s ‘With No Regrets’ (Nenapu Kahiyalla), Leo Tolstoy’s ‘Anna Karenina’, ‘War and Peace’ (Yudda Mathu Shanti), Resurrection (Punaruthana) and his autobiography ‘Sahithigala Sangadalli Horatada Baduku.’ He also has to his credit many works on Kuvempu’s literature including Sri Ramayana Dharshanam Vachana Chandrike.

Awards and accolades

Prof. Dejagow has to his credits several awards and accolades including Hon. Doctorate from Karnatak University, Hon. Award from Karnataka Sahitya Academy, Rajyotsava Award given by GoK, Senior Fellowship by Dravidian Linguistics Association of Thiruvananthapuram, Pampa Award by GoK, Nadoja award by Kannada University, Nrupatunga award by Kannada Sahitya Parishat, Karnataka Ratna award – 2008, Chidananda Award, Jishampa award, Allama Sri Award and National Basava Award.

Prof. Nadoja, who presided over the 47th Kannada Sahitya Sammelana at Bengaluru in 1970, has been honoured with several felicitation volumes including Antahkarana, Rasashashti, Dejagow-Vyakti mattu Sahitya, Apurva mattu Namma Nadoja, Amrutavarsha and Kayaka Vibhuti.

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

Gandhi Bhavan celebrates Golden jubilee

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Records, All, Uncategorized
Senior advocate Prof. Ravi Verma Kumar is seen offering floral tributes to the portrait of Mahatma Gandhi at Senate Bhavan in Manasagangotri this morning as Gandhians Dr. H.S. Doreswamy, Dr. G. Madegowda, Shanthi N. Badriah, Dr. H. Srinivasaiah, Mysore University Gandhi Bhavan Director Prof. S. Shivarajappa and others look on.
Senior advocate Prof. Ravi Verma Kumar is seen offering floral tributes to the portrait of Mahatma Gandhi at Senate Bhavan in Manasagangotri this morning as Gandhians Dr. H.S. Doreswamy, Dr. G. Madegowda, Shanthi N. Badriah, Dr. H. Srinivasaiah, Mysore University Gandhi Bhavan Director Prof. S. Shivarajappa and others look on.

Mysuru :

“It is distressing to note that the principles preached and practiced by Gandhiji, who is being praised by renowned personalities across the world, are vanishing in the very country where the Mahatma was born,” rued Prof. Ravi Verma Kumar, Senior advocate of Karnataka High Court here this morning.

He was speaking after inaugurating the Golden Jubilee celebrations of Gandhi Bhavan of the University of Mysore (UoM), said to be one of the oldest Gandhi Bhavans in India (started in 1965), at Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar Senate Bhavan in Manasagangotri in city.

Regretting that many intelligent students at various Universities across the country, who undertake many progressive activities, were being attacked and branded as anti-nationals for fighting for Freedom of Speech and Expression, the senior advocate said if Gandhiji was alive today, even he (Gandhiji) would have been branded as an anti-national.

Veteran freedom fighter and Gandhian Dr. H.S. Doreswamy, President of Karnataka Gandhi Smaraka Nidhi, Bengaluru, Dr. H. Srinivasaiah, Mandya Gandhi Bhavan Founder-President Dr. G. Madegowda and Gandhian Shanthi N. Badriah were felicitated on the occasion.

Gandhi Bhavan Director Prof. S. Shivarajappa, UoM Registrar Prof. C. Basavaraju and others were present on the occasion.

About UoM’s Gandhi Bhavan: It has a rich history of association with Gandhians and institutions committed to promoting Gandhian philosophy. It also has a collection of books that date back to the pre-independence era and is in the process of establishing a Gandhi Museum to preserve archival materials belonging to Gandhian era and other documents throwing light on Gandhiji’s works.

The foundation stone for the Gandhi Bhavan in city, which was laid on Sept.9, 1960 by the then Chief Minister B.D.Jatti, was inaugurated by former Prime Minister of India Morarji Desai on Jan.31, 1965.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / April 01st, 2016

Kshema to honour two clinician scientists

Education, Records, All, Science & Technology

Mangaluru:

To mark National Science Day, the Centre for Science Education and Research and KS Hegde Medical Academy (Kshema) will honour two clinician scientists, Dr VI Mathan and Dr Minnie Mathan, for their contribution to medical research on Monday.

Prof Mathan, who superannuated from Christian Medical College, Vellore, as professor of medicine and gastroenterology and director, has a number of awards to his credit. This includes the Ambedkar Award of the Indian Council of Medical Research for his lifetime contributions to health research. Prof Minnie was the head of the department of gastrointestinal sciences at the college till her superannuation in 1997.

At the event Prof Mathan will speak on the challenges of clinical research and Prof Minnie on integrated research.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City> Mangalore / TNN / February 29th, 2016

Tribute

Inspiration/ Positive News and Features

Sr. John, a Noble Soul

SrJohnBF01feb2016

Sister John Britto Durai Chetty — that was how she wanted to be called — passed away at St. Martha’s Home for the Aged in Bengaluru, on Jan. 26. She was crossing four-score and ten years in age and lived a full life in the service of the Convent and more so in the field of music. She was the one who could play with ease and dexterity, Karnatak music on piano — her favourite instrument.

My association with this gracious lady dated back to more than three decades as she was the President of Mysore Music Association (mainly catering to Western Music) of which I was a Committee Member along with Sheela Irani, Alok Gupta. M. Lakshminarayana, M.G. Narasimha, Samson and Mrs. Raman of Raman Boards. In close association with British Council and American Consulate at Madras, she could get and arrange western music concerts at the then Southern Star auditorium and Jaganmohan Palace. She had even roped in Dr. Raja Ramanna, Atomic Scientist, to give a concert in piano.

Vivid are my memories of my visits to Good Shepherd Convent School here in Mysuru, where I was a Structural Consultant for strengthening the walls and roof of their three-storeyed hostel building housing among other students, two or three aged nuns from Ireland. My work there took me to the Convent frequently and I found her teaching Western music on piano to several students from aristocratic families of Mysuru. After the classes she would offer me a few biscuits and a cup of fruit juice and ask me which song in Karnatak music she should play on the piano for me.

And when I mentioned ‘Vatapi Gana Patim’ and ‘Raghu Vamsha Sudha,’ she would immediately let her diligent fingers on the keyboard and the songs would automatically start ringing in my ears. Then, once or twice, she would take me inside the Chapel and give me a Rosary to pray for the Almighty.

I had visited her two or three times in the St. Martha’s Home at Bengaluru and she was always asking about Mysuru and the Music Association, which was her soul.

—M.L. Krishnaswami NOTE: Sr. John’s funeral took place at Bengaluru this afternoon.—Ed

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / January 28th, 2016

IISc hosts Microsoft’s first student data science hackathon

Records, All, Science & Technology

Microsoft, in collaboration with Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bengaluru, concluded the first-ever Data Science Student Challenge (DSSC), a 24-hour global hackathon series, on Saturday.

The hackathon was inaugurated on January 29 as a part of Pravega 2016, the annual tech festival by the IISc. The hackathon, which witnessed participation by close to 200 students, showcases Microsoft’s commitment to boost the ecosystem for data scientists in India by giving students the opportunity to learn and test their data analytical skills.

As part of the hackathon, students accessed open government data and derived insights from that dataset, using the power of data analytics. Along with the students, a team of senior Microsoft mentors were present onsite to support and guide participants to create solutions based on predictions from the identified issues.

The hackathon generated over 50 ideas that could help build digital solutions to address the socio-economic issues in the country and accelerate the pace of the government’s Digital India programme.

Amog Mannekote, Tanmay Chinchore and Abhilash K from M S Ramaiah Institute of Technology (MSRIT), Bengaluru, were recognised as the winners of the challenge for prediction analysis on diabetes in Indian women. G Arun Kumar and Aravind Sundaresan from People’s Education Society Institute of Technology (PESIT) Bengaluru, South Campus, won the second prize for prediction analysis on heart diseases, and Amleshwar Kumar, Indranil Bhattacharya, Raghuram D Bharadwaj, Shreyas S and Swapnil Dhama from IISc won the third prize for predicting mortality rates of patients in ICU. The winning teams were rewarded with a cash prize of Rs 50,000, Rs 25,000 and Rs15,000, respectively. Professor Yogesh Simmhan, Assistant Professor, Department of Computational and Data Sciences (CDS), IISc, says the demand for data scientists is high. “There is a critical need to address the talent gap, both in data science research and its practice. The recent creation of the Department of Computational and Data Sciences, the Big Data public lecture series, and new data science and analytics courses are some of these efforts. I am pleased that IISc’s Pravega technical fest has partnered with Microsoft to host its first global Data Science Students Challenge in India at our campus.”

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State / Bengaluru – DHNS, January 31st, 2016

M.L. Krishnaswami’s book “The Mysore that was…” released

Arts, Culture & Entertainment
Star of Mysore Editor-in-Chief K.B. Ganapathy (centre), who released M.L. Krishnaswami’s (4th from left) book ‘The Mysore That was...’ in city yesterday, is seen with (from left) MBCT Founder Trustee Parvez E. Rudina, MBCT Hon. Secretary K. Sriram, MBCT Managing Trustee D. Keerthi Kumar, veteran actor Srinath, MBCT Founder Trustee R. Sundara Murthy, BAI Mysuru Centre Chairman M.S. Ramprasad and Hon. Secretary J.V.R. Naidhruva.

Star of Mysore Editor-in-Chief K.B. Ganapathy (centre), who released M.L. Krishnaswami’s (4th from left) book ‘The Mysore That was…’ in city yesterday, is seen with (from left) MBCT Founder Trustee Parvez E. Rudina, MBCT Hon. Secretary K. Sriram, MBCT Managing Trustee D. Keerthi Kumar, veteran actor Srinath, MBCT Founder Trustee R. Sundara Murthy, BAI Mysuru Centre Chairman M.S. Ramprasad and Hon. Secretary J.V.R. Naidhruva.

“Somehow I have an emotional connect to Mysuru. The very name Mysuru beings joy to me. Reason could be that it is my mother’s native place. Whenever I came to Mysuru in my student days, my maternal uncle (MLK) would give me one Anna. With that I would go to a hotel and eat masala dosa. My uncle would support me whenever I became naughty in the family.”

—Srinath, cine actor

Mysuru :

Mysore Builders’ Charitable Trust (MBCT) and Builders’ Association of India (BAI), Mysuru Centre, had organised a programme at MBCT premises, Sterling Theatre Road, in city last evening to release the book ‘The Mysore That was…’ (a compilation of articles published in Star of Mysore) authored by M.L. Krishnaswami (MLK).

Speaking after releasing the book brought out by MBCT Prakshana, Star of Mysore Editor-in-Chief K.B. Ganapathy called upon the builders to give a heritage touch to important public and huge private buildings as Mysuru is a heritage city.

Recalling an incident wherein the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, while inaugurating a public building in Jammu and Kashmir, had expressed displeasure about the lack of heritage architecture in the building, KBG highlighted the need for builders to give an artistic touch to structures specially in a Royal City like Mysuru.

Pointing out that MLK had captured the minds of citizens by writing exhaustive articles on important historical events, buildings and great personalities of the city in SOM, Ganapathy said that MLK had tried to preserve the history of Mysuru in a small way.

Noting that doctors, engineers, politicians and other eminent personalities from different fields write their autobiographies or get it done by others as biographies, he complimented MLK for writing on the city’s biography through this book.

Terming MLK as the city’s biographer, Ganapathy said that MLK is widely acclaimed by SOM readers for his elaborate articles on Mysuru of the past.

Cine actor Srinath, speaking as the chief guest, said that MLK was his uncle. Every photo published in his (MLK) book tells a story, he said.

Noting that MLK’s writing skills were magnificent, Srinath observed that MLK has recorded the legacy of Mysuru in a wonderful manner.

Pointing out that MLK had made references to him (Srinath) and his actor-brother C.R. Simha in his articles, Srinath said that Simha played an instrumental role in his success as an actor.

Expressing his wish to be a centenarian, Srinath became emotional when he said that his uncle MLK has to live long to felicitate him (Srinath) on his centenary.

M.L. Krishnaswami, who was born and brought up in Mysuru, in his address, said that this was a golden day for him and added that it was KBG, who provided a platform to pen his articles.

Stating that Ganapathy has suggested him to continue writing, he thanked KBG for his support all through these years.

On the occasion, the author M.L. Krishnaswami and his wife Prabha; MBCT Founder Trustees Parvez E. Rudina and R. Sundara Murthy were felicitated.

Legal expert Dr. C.K.N.Raja, sugama sangeetha artiste H.R. Leelavathi, art patron K.V. Murthy, neurosurgeon Dr. M.S. Bhaskar, Pt. Veerabhadraiah Hiremath and others were present on the occasion.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / Monday – February 01st, 2016

State gets first chinkara sanctuary

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature, Records, All, Travel
The Yadahalli Chinkara Wildlife Sanctuary will be spread over 9,636.91 hectares in villages of Bilagi and Mudhol taluks.
The Yadahalli Chinkara Wildlife Sanctuary will be spread over 9,636.91 hectares in villages of Bilagi and Mudhol taluks.

Karnataka will get its first wildlife sanctuary for chinkaras (Indian Gazelle) at Yadahalli in Bagalkot district.

Karnataka will get its first wildlife sanctuary for chinkaras (Indian Gazelle) at Yadahalli in Bagalkot district.

The government, in its notification, said the sanctuary is spread over 9,636.91 hectares in villages of Bilagi and Mudhol taluks. The region has a lot of wildlife significance since it is the only habitat for endangered Indian Gazelles.

The forests with beautiful mosaic of shrubs, grasslands and rocky patches are the habitat for critically endangered wolves, jackals, wildcats, stripped hyenas, and a variety of other mammals, reptiles and birds, the notification said. The area has numerous seasonal nalas, which drain into river Krishna in the north and into the Ghataprabha on the southern side of the sanctuary. “It acts as an important catchment for the two rivers,” it said. The sanctuary does not cover patta lands and revenue lands.

M.R. Desai, Honorary Wildlife Warden of Bagalkot, said the notification now provides a complete legal backing for habitat improvement of the region as well as ensuring the population of the endangered chinkara population remains on the upswing.

“This is a shrub forest that has seen some damage owing to plantations. For the past two years, we have tried to halt these activities. A sanctuary status will ensure that the commercial exploitation of the region stops,” he said.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Bengaluru / Nagesh Prabhu / Bengaluru – January 01st, 2016

Aeration Fountain installed at Kukkarahalli lake

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Green Initiatives / Environment

‘e-water harmoniser’ to get rid of tepid smell emanating from the water body

AerationfountainBF01jan2016

Mysuru :

In a bid to get rid of the stinking smell emanating from Kukkarahalli Lake, the Mysore University authorities have come up with a novel initiative and installed an ‘e-water harmoniser’ (EWH) at the Lake.

EWH is a technology to add oxygen to water through ‘Aeration Fountain,’ a process of increasing oxygen saturation in water. When the water passes through the unit, it increases the level of stable oxygen, which reduces the anaerobic condition of water besides reducing the formation of algae.

The equipment has been lent free of cost to the University of Mysore (UoM), the custodians of the Lake, by Kalpavruksha Amruth Solutions, a city-based private company.

Technical Advisor K. G. Gururaj said that the process is natural as the unit is free from any chemical or harmful substances and added that the water can be cleaned without wasting it. Besides the unit is maintenance-free.

Gururaj further said that the process also reduces the content of Bio-Chemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) and Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) in the water and added that the process would also benefit aquatic animals.

Mysore University Green Campus initiative Co-ordinator Ravishankar V. Rai said that due to algae and high toxic level, the Lake used to stink. Stating that the initiative is in experimental stages, he said that the water will be re-evaluated after 21 days to see if the technology works.

He further said that more number of units will be put up to work after the water is re-evaluated.

Meanwhile, Kukkarahalli Lake Protection Committee Convener K. M. Jayaramaiah said that the initiative would help in maintaining water at the pink of its health and added that the aeration process would reduce the stink.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / Friday – January 01st, 2016

Inventor With Eyes on the Sky

Amazing Feats, Inspiration/ Positive News and Features, Science & Technology, World Opinion

Dayananda Sirigere, a hobbyist inventor who fashions camera lenses and telescopes made from PVC pipes and discarded electronic equipment, has been getting inquiries from unlikely corners. “In September, a businessman called from California,” says the 53-year-old. “He said he will be coming to Bengaluru to meet me as he was fascinated by what I do.”

While most of his equipment costs Rs 5,000 to Rs 10,000 to make, his talents have remained largely undiscovered by shutterbugs. “Until a neighbour came and admired his work, I kept telling him to throw all this rubbish out,” says his wife Ratna Rao.

Dayananda Sirigere and the telescopes/JITHENDRA M
Dayananda Sirigere and the telescopes/JITHENDRA M

The “rubbish” is about 35 cartons of telescope lenses stacked up in their house in Bengaluru’s Chandra Layout. Sirigere seems completely uninterested in the possibilities of using his skills to pursue a commercial end. He is fired by passion for the “practical” aspect of science.

“In school, I used to wonder what the planets we drew looked like,” he says. “Much later, when I was going through some bad times in the 90s, people attributed it to an unfavourable influence of Saturn.”

This rekindled his curiosity in astral bodies, and he got to work on trying to make a telescope. Years of trial and error followed till 2003 when his efforts came to fruition and his first telescope was ready. “I assembled an optical lens, a mirror lens and a PVC pipe using calculations based on the focal length of the lenses,” Sirigere explains.

When he looked through it, he was overjoyed. He then began working on how to attach a powerful lens to a camera to photograph planets. For this, he used a teleconvertor to enlarge the image.

He finished his first telephoto lens in 2005. “I made a wide-angle lens that covers 180 degrees and another that covers 230 degrees,” he says. The macro lens in his collection has enabled him to photograph the pores in the eye of an ant and air bubbles and droplets of water in a leaf against light. “If you attach it to a video camera, you can see the water movement in leaves,” he says.

His lenses and telescopes have kept him up nights in the open, gazing at the galaxy. “Some parts of the moon reflect more light due to its undulated surface,” he says. “The craters are best visible on the fourth day after the new moon because that side is facing Earth.”

As novel as his hobby is, he is also aware of its amateur nature. “The lenses are too bulky for some people, unlike the professional ones. There’s no way I can build in auto-focus,” he says. Procuring a camera and xerox lenses collecting dust in homes or shops takes time. “Whenever I’m visiting someone or passing by someplace and I notice parts I could use, I ask the owners if I could buy them,” he says.

Once when Sirigere wanted to photograph cricketers in Chinnaswamy Stadium, the security stopped him and asked what he was carrying in his bag. They refused to believe they were lenses. They said, “These look more like AK-47s,” he says with a hearty laugh.

Before he moved to Bengaluru eight years ago, he often let children look at the stars through his telescopes in his native Sirigere, a village in Chitradurga district. “In rural areas, children don’t have any exposure to the practical aspect of science,” he says. With them, he has observed eclipses, the rings of Saturn and four of Jupiter’s moons.

The people and the clear skies of the pastoral countryside beckon, but it might take him a couple of years to shift base. “Ideally, I would like a village not yet penetrated by electricity,” he says.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Magazine / by Chetana Divya Vasudev / October 31st, 2015