Tragedy and Triumph … …An inspiring story

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

In Black & White

by Vikram Muthanna

Recently, Mahesh Ballal, the owner of Rock Salad, was in SOM office to place an advertisement for his company’s 21st anniversary. Along with him was a boy, more noticeable for his oversized black thick-rimmed glasses, like from the 1970s. He seemed timid and geeky, yet confident and calm. The boy looked familiar, so asked Mahesh about him. It turned out his name was Nikhil Ravishankar. I immediately knew who he was. He was the son of Copywriter Ravishankar, who also ran an advertising agency. I also knew that Ravi had died a year ago of colon cancer at a young age. I expressed my condolences to the young boy and asked him how he was doing. What followed was a story that is a testament to the power of human spirit. A story of tragedy and triumph. A story that I had to share with my readers. So here it is:

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Nikhil, from a poor Brahmin family, but enriched by priority for education, loves reading and words. Just like his father. By the time he was in the 6th, he had already become the National Junior Scrabble Champion. He won the championship twice. When he was in 10th, he participated in a competition called ‘Intel Iris,’ a science fair for high school students across India where they had to submit an original paper. Nikhil wrote a paper on a subject he enjoyed … words. His paper was called “Linguistic Impact,” brought about by new wave of technology. He won a gold medal for it! And was short-listed for the International Intel Iris. Unfortunately, he didn’t make it there. But this subject sparked in him an interest in Psychology and after his 10th, he chose to study in St. Aloysius College, Mangalore, as only they had a Psychology combination with the subjects he wanted.

Four months into his studies, a phone call would change the young boy’s life forever. Nikhil got a call informing him that his father was diagnosed with 4th stage colon cancer. He had to quit college and return home to care for his father as everyone else in his family had deserted them.

Soon they sold whatever they had left to raise money for the treatment. With no funds, Nikhil stopped going to college. But knowing well that education is the only way out, he registered to the ‘National Institute of Open Schooling’ (a government body that recognises home-schooled students) and began ‘home-schooling’ himself. This, he says, he did for three reasons — first, he didn’t have money for college fees; second, he could finish his studies in one year and get a job to support himself and three, he could stay home and take care of his father as no one else was there to.

But he also had another, fourth reason: home schooling gave him time to find a way to save his father — cancer research.

So apart from his formal studies, Nikhil started reading research materials on cancer. While doing so, he came across a book by the Indian-born American physician, Siddhartha Mukherjee’s Pulitzer winning book, ‘The Emperor of All Maladies: A Biography of Cancer.’ Inspired, Nikhil delved into information on cancer. After all, his father’s life was at stake.

Soon he found a mentor in Dr. Shreedatta Hebbar of Sai Guru Clinic and then Dr. Anil Thomas, who was treating his dad at Preethi Centre for Oncology where Nikhil shadowed the good doctor and collected more information about cancer patients.

He soon realised that his knowledge was not enough to understand all the research material he was reading. So Nikhil registered to study the free online course material from MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) in Biology and Chemistry. But unfortunately, all the research did not help him save his dad and Ravi passed away in April last year leaving behind a 17-year-old Nikhil with no money and no home. Except a cycle, which is his primary mode of transport even now.

Luckily, one of his father’s relatives gave Nikhil a room on the terrace of the family home, which he shares with his older brother, who is studying at CAVA. Noticing Nikhil’s interest in research and academics, his father’s friend Mahesh Ballal bought the boy a laptop. Nikhil, to support himself and help his brother, got a job at The Hobby Place teaching scrabble and did some copywriting for his father’s old clients.

Soon self-schooled Nikhil’s PUC results came out and he had done well. He decided he wanted to be a doctor and started preparing for CET. But then still obsessing over his father’s death, Nikhil changed his mind. He says, “I realised doctors could not save my father. Only researchers can, so I decided that I wanted to be a research scientist.” So instead of writing his CET, Nikhil decided to go to the United States, where research is given high priority.

That’s when he remembered some boys he had met during the Intel Iris science fair talking about SAT, an exam taken after PUC to get admission in American Universities. He also found out that if he scored well he would get a full scholarship.

And so with the little money he had saved up, he paid his SAT exam fee and started studying. Study hard he did and it reflected in his scores. The maximum score in SAT is 2400 and Nikhil scored… 2400! A perfect score! The SAT exam is taken by over 20 lakh students across the world and Nikhil is one of the 400 who got a perfect score! All this from a boy with no one to care, no money and no formal schooling!

Yes, hard work and focus can make you achieve the impossible, but humble Nikhil says, “Sir, I had no other way, this was my only ticket out.” Now Nikhil has secured admission to the most elite Universities in the US. He has got admission to MIT, Stanford, Harvard, Princeton, Caltech and Brown.

Even better, all of them offered Nikhil a full scholarship and a monthly stipend. But MIT went one step further; they offered him an air ticket to fly to USA to study in their University. Americans sure know how to reel in talent.

So Nikhil didn’t have to spend a pie, all he had to do was pack up and leave. But he chose not to! Why?! He says, “earlier I did not know, but Columbia University has the best research programme. So I waited for one year to apply as I missed this University the first time round.”

In this gap year, inspired by an American High School boy, Jack Andraka, who had produced a research paper on ‘Pancreatic Cancer,’ Nikhil too wanted to write about his own research on ‘Colon Cancer.’ He also decided to work on a home screening kit for colon cancer. Which he says if his father had, his cancer could have been diagnosed earlier and treated.

Nikhil had read that people with colon cancer have blood in their stool but it is not visible. So when the patient comes in for a colon check, the cancer is so advanced that it’s too late to treat successfully. Now, Nikhil wanted to find a way to pick out blood in stool.

So once again from his meagre earning, he set up a small lab in his room with test tubes, beakers and a few chemicals. He began testing stools. When asked how he collected stool samples, he says with a grin, “I shat for science” and added, “I tested my own stool.” All the trying yielded no result until one day, when he was watching his favourite show CSI (Crime Scene Investigation) on his computer he saw that in the show, the Police were using a method called ‘Kastle-Meyer Test’ to find blood at a murder site. Nikhil adopted this test, tweaked it over and over again, so the test would not confuse animal blood and certain vegetable enzymes with human blood. Soon he realised that by adding a chemical called ‘Dimethyl Sulfoxide’ he could isolate only human blood.

He also found that this had met his three criteria for a home colon cancer screening test — specific, sensitive and cheap. It was specific to colon cancer, it was sensitive to human blood and it was indeed cheap, costing just Rs. 20 ! Nikhil causally mentioned about this kit to his friend, who replied “then may be you must patent it.” And so Nikhil did. He got three provisional patents on his home colon cancer screening kit!

Nikhil then sent his research paper on the screening kit to various authorities across the world and heard back from one Prof. Tyler Jacks, Head of Oncology at MIT, who was amazed by Nikhil’s research. Now, Nikhil has been invited to speak about his research at MIT in June this year. The conference has a few eminent speakers who are professors and physicians, Nikhil will be the youngest speaker there ! When asked if he is excited, he says “Yes, but I’m more excited that I will be meeting Siddhartha Mukherjee whose book inspired me, he too is a speaker at the conference.” Surely the boy from Mysore has come a long way in such a short time and in such demoralising circumstances. So obsessed is Nikhil about research that when he was trying to find information on cancer, he could not get enough as the hospitals throughout the world did not have a central information sharing system. So he came up with an idea called ‘HealtherNet.co’ an interface that connects hospital records from across the world. The idea was good but Nikhil did not know anything about computer programming. So, he put across the idea to a friend he had met in a discussion group about SAT exams. That boy was good with computers and he agreed to do the basic programming. The website was up and could run a few simple tasks. But they needed money to develop such a big idea and they put up their project on crowd funding sites. And behold one day he got a call. It was from none other than Eduardo Saverin! The man who partly owned Facebook with Mark Zuckerberg! Soon Eduardo had a video chat with Nikhil and expressed his desire to fund the project. As of yesterday, Nikhil has a very tempting offer letter from Eduardo. When as

ked if he will take it, Nikhil says, “it’s tempting, but I want to go to Columbia or MIT for research. And we may just keep our project open source so it’s free and benefits all.”

Now, while Nikhil is cycling all over our city for work and research, in June he’ll be flying business class to USA to present his paper at MIT and in August will be leaving for USA to pursue his dream of being a research scientist at Columbia or MIT. Yes, one more brain drains. But this story is truly inspiring especially in these times when parents obsess over expensive schools and tuitions as guarantee of excellence. It once again proves passion and focus beats all.

Nikhil’s story is a case of the triumph of the human spirit. The story of a young boy whose formal education was cut short by tragedy, a boy who was deserted by his close ones, a boy left orphaned and in penury, yet undeterred, he educated himself and with focus and passion pulled himself out of what would have buried most of us.

He did not sit on any excuses, he did not ask for compassion, he did not get any reservation, but he ran with his passion and now will fly high in his chosen profession, unfortunately it will be in another nation.

It is also a story of love. The love of a son for his father that inspired him and took him on a path to find a cure. A cure, that could, one day save the lives of millions of fathers, so they don’t end up with broken homes like Nikhil.

SOM has a column called ‘Mysureans Making Us Proud…’ We are sure, we’ll see Nikhil there soon. But then… he already has made us proud. Godspeed Nikhil. Your father would be proud of you…just as we are.

e-mail:vikram@starofmysore.com

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Feature Articles / Monday – February 16th, 2015

Most distinguished Brothers of Mysuru

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Leaders

Down The Memory Lane

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by K. Vijaya Kumar, Former Jt. Director of Information & Publicity

Elder one had left behind ‘Malgudi’; Now, younger one leaves behind ‘Common Man’

I recollect here what R.K. Narayan (RKN) and R.K. Laxman (RKL) have left behind for Karnataka through a Travelogue of the State titled ‘The Emerald Route’ — text by RKN and sketches by RKL — commissioned to produce by the State through my Department of Information and Publicity, which was first published in 1977.

As I was a little close to R.K. Narayan during my long tenure in Mysuru, I took the then Director of the Information Department Chiranjiv Singh to the author. It was Singh’s idea to include sketches by R.K. Laxman who agreed for it and both the brothers travelled across Karnataka to have first-hand experience of the people and places.

Look at the love of brothers towards Mysuru: RKN says, ‘I feel thankful to Heavens for placing me there.’ RKL tells, ‘It is my Mysuru where I was born, brought up and educated.’

Later, I think, I had an occasion to meet R.K. Laxman with T.S. Satyan, who was a close associate of him, at RKN’s residence in Yadavagiri. It was an evening where both the brothers were enjoying sitting outside in the garden and we joined them.

How can I forget that evening in the company of the three eminent personalities. The star attraction was Laxman as he was a continuous conversationalist. Chiranjiv Singh has described him as — ‘He was like a bottle of champagne, bubbling all the time’ (In his tribute).

Getting his autograph for the book: Again it was in 2006, I happened to meet Laxman with T.S. Satyan very briefly at Hotel Metropole. It was a morning and he was just coming out of his room in the wheelchair pushed by his wife Kamala. I just could not see him in that condition (as my memory went back about 20 years ago remembering the time spent with him).

Still he smiled when he saw Satyan for whom he was waiting to go to Chamundi Hill. When I was introduced, he tried to recollect our meeting. I had carried with me my personal copy of ‘The Emerald Route’ and requested to autograph it which he obliged. Satyan quietly asked him to draw a sketch for one of his cartoons collection book which he was carrying (as desired by his wife Rathna). He drew a sketch of Ganapathy within a minute or two. I could see his skilful fingers working even sitting from his wheelchair.

Shobhaa De, the popular writer, who was a family friend of Laxman, has written in her column that the last official cartoon he drew was in Dec. 2014 to commemorate 100 days of MOM in Martian Orbit. The drawing shows the Common Man marching forward holding the tricolor; with the blood-red planet at his feet, like a gigantic football waiting to be kicked.

He had suffered two strokes by then, still his agile mind was working, she says and ends her column with this tribute to the genius:

“An uncommon genius has bowed out after a glorious innings. Perhaps he’s busy caricaturing God? Let’s hope God has a better sense of humour than some of Laxman’s subjects on earth. And let’s also hope his host in Heaven stocks premium Scotch.” (He was fond of Scotch).

e-mail: kumarkv59@gmail.com

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Feature Articles / Monday – February 16th, 2015

Remembering the legendary Cartoonist R.K. Laxman

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Leaders
The caricature of R.K. Laxman, sketched by Star of Mysore cartoonist M.V. Nagendra Babu for this column in 1995, was autographed by the legendary cartoonist when Babu showed the same to Laxman during the National Cartoon Workshop held in Nagpur in 1996. Note Babu’s caricature has all the three important elements R.K. Laxman was famous for — The Times of India where he worked, the common man and the crow.
The caricature of R.K. Laxman, sketched by Star of Mysore cartoonist M.V. Nagendra Babu for this column in 1995, was autographed by the legendary cartoonist when Babu showed the same to Laxman during the National Cartoon Workshop held in Nagpur in 1996. Note Babu’s caricature has all the three important elements R.K. Laxman was famous for — The Times of India where he worked, the common man and the crow.

The legendary Mysuru-based cartoonist R.K. Laxman passed away at age 94 on Jan. 26, 2015, the day when the Nation celebrated its 66th Republic Day with US President Barack Obama as the VVIP chief guest at the Rajpath. Here I reproduce the Abracadabra titled “Hey, that’s Laxman the cartoonist!” published in Star of Mysore dated June 26, 1995, as a tribute to the ‘Common Man.’ Now read on:

Hey, that’s Laxman the Cartoonist !

If it is a Sunday and you suffer from cold, what is the best thing to do? Of course, reading all the Sunday newspapers through the moist eyes, smothering the nose with a handkerchief, sniffing at Vicks or whatever and sipping hot coffee. After that? Well, watching TV is the best thing. It is also more relaxing — less strain on the eyes compared to reading a newspaper in small print. So, after finishing the papers, I did a very best thing yesterday watching TV while nursing a terrible cold.

Thanks to STAR TV. I could watch BBC as well. However, these days, I find our Doordarshan (DD) is not lagging far too behind the STAR TV or Zee TV in providing quality programmes. One such programme I saw on DD was on the famous cartoonist R.K. Laxman. I was glued to the TV watching Laxman speak in a measured, clear tone and language (English, of course) with his buck-teeth not that prominent to be obtrusive. A kind of serenity could be seen pervading Laxman’s personality as he spoke.

I have a special reason to be delighted about Laxman because he started his career from Bombay’s Free Press Journal just as I did much later during late 60s. It was a well-produced programme and the credit indeed should go to the subject of the programme — R.K. Laxman — rather than its producer or director.

It was interesting to learn from Laxman how appointments were made during those early days and how he encountered Bal Thackeray, the Shiv Sena Supremo, at the Free Press Journal. The Editor of this nationalist paper Sadanand without a second thought appointed Laxman and simply asked him to join duty immediately as by then Laxman’s works had been seen by many editors including Sadanand. When Laxman went to occupy his chair, he found another person sitting next to him with a “definite profile,” who asked: Who are you? Laxman told him who he was and in turn asked, Who are you? The reply was: Bal Thackeray, cartoonist.

Later they both went to the canteen for tea and became friends. However, after leaving the Free Press Journal and becoming the Shiv Sena Supremo, Bal Thackeray “went out of my range,” said Laxman and added “but all the same we continued to be friends and hope he still is.”

Another interesting information Laxman gave was about the famous British political cartoonist Sir David Low, who created Colonel Blimp (just as Laxman created his Common Man) whom he had always admired. In fact, the discerning newspaper readers had found the influence of David Low in Laxman’s cartoons. No wonder, Laxman was a great fan of David Low and hoped to meet him one day.

However, as luck would have it, to his great surprise one day when he went to his office, he found a couple sitting in his chamber and Laxman recognising Low (probably from his pictures) spontaneously said: Mr. Low? And the person beamed a smile and said: Yes. You are Laxman. Later, Laxman hired a taxi and took them to Malabar Hills to impress upon the foreigner the beauty of Bombay as seen from the heights of Malabar Hills — the sweep of the Chaupati and the Queen’s necklace, Marine Drive. Laxman also told Low that the latter should not think India was a land of elephants and snake charmers but before Low could react, lo and behold, there he was — a snake charmer ready to entertain the foreigner. Laxman said it was an embarrassing as well as a mysterious moment for him.

One more interesting information that throws light on Laxman’s own philosophy of life and also the courage of his conviction is the manner he left the Free Press Journal. It appears, the Editor Sadanand, who never interfered in Laxman’s work in the past, one day called him and said that he should not make fun of Communists any more in his cartoons. This fiat from the editor surprised Laxman no end and disturbed him also.

Apparently, he could not work with such fetters. Submitting his resignation to the editor on the spot, he walked out of the Free Press Journal hiring a horse-drawn carriage (as there was a taxi strike on that day) straight to ‘The Times of India,’ the old lady of Bori Bunder. Fortunately, it was not a case of walking out of one prison to another or from the palace to the prison. It was a case of walking out of a prison to a palace. The rest is history.

— PUCK

NOTE: Puck was my pen name those days which I gave up on finding the printer’s devil replacing the letter P with F. After all, original is the real thing.—KBG

e-mail: kbg@starofmysore.com

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Abracadabra…Abracadabra / Monday – February 16th, 2015

Chota packet , Bada power …

Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education

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Meet city’s young singing talent Shreekar

He has made significant achievements in singing. He has participated in hundreds of State and District-level cultural competitions and won many prizes in Karnatak music (vocal), sugama sangeetha, Daasara padagalu, film hits (solo), classical music (vocal), devaranama, jathiswara, bhavageethe (solo), vachana gaayana, folk songs, patriotic songs, janapadageethe, keerthanas, bhajans, vachanas and Bhagavadgita chanting…and what have you?

He also has the talent in him to repeat any song heard by him once just like the original one. Meet B.R. Shreekar, a 5th standard student of DAV Public School in Vishweshwara Nagar, who has performed in ETV Kannada Channel’s ‘Canara Bank Yede Thumbi Haduvenu’ programme hosted by noted playback singer S.P. Balasubramanyam (SPB) in 2011. This child participated in three episodes and went up-to semi finals receiving appreciation from SPB for his talent.

The ten-year-old was conferred ‘Balashree Award-2013’ by Mysuru Sahitya Matthu Samskruthika Pratishtana, Kuvempunagar, for excellence in classical and light music.

He was conferred State-level Children’s Pratibha Puraskara by the Department of Women and Child Development, Bengaluru on Nov. 14, 2013 (Children’s Day) for exceptional achievements in academics.

He was presented Children’s Exceptional Achievements Award for the year 2013-14 along with a cash prize of Rs.10,000 by the Department of Women and Child Development, Mysuru, for excellence in cultural field.

He was conferred with ‘Adarsha Baala Prathibha Rathna’ award by Adarsha Seva Sangha, Mysuru on Jan. 26, 2014 for excellence in singing.

Shreekar, who took part in the ‘Mysuru Kogile-2014’ singing competition, organised by Bharathiya Samskruthika Vikasa Vedike, Mysuru in association with Yashaswini Groups, Mysuru at Jaganmohan Palace, won the second place where he was honoured with a cash prize of Rs.10,000.

Apart from excelling in the cultural field, Shreekar has made achievements in academics too.

He won prizes in Wordsworth International Spelling Bee Contest at the School, District and State-levels in 2011; He passed the National Scholarship Examination conducted by Divine Publishers, Cochin thrice with distinction in the years 2010, 2011 and 2012 while he was studying in 1st, 2nd and 3rd standard respectively; He secured top ranks in National Science Olympiad and International Mathematics Olympiad conducted by Science Olympiad Foundation, Gurgaon.

Shreekar passed the Karnatak Music Junior Grade Vocal Examination, conducted by Karnataka Secondary Education Examination Board, in October, 2014 with 94%.

He is being trained in music under Karnatak Vocalist Vidwan P.C. Vijesh of Guru Subbanna Keshava Music School.

Considering, Shreekar’s outstanding achievements in academics, DAV School awarded a proficiency certificate to him.

Shreekar is the proud son of B.S. Ramamurthy, Senior Manager, Finance & Accounts, Ripple Fragrances Pvt. Ltd., VV Mohalla and H.S. Vageeshwari, a home-maker, who reside in Krishnamurthypuram in city. His elder brother B.R. Shankar is pursuing 1st year Engineering at Vidya Vikas Institute of Engineering & Technology.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / Monday – February 16th, 2015

 

Rotary Midtown to present Soukya Sports Award on Feb.18

Sports

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Rotary Midtown Soukya Sports Award-2015 will be conferred on O. Sushmitha Pawar at a function to be held on Feb.18 at the Rotary Centre on JLB Road, Mysuru, at 6.30 pm.

Chief guest Dr. C. Krishna, Director, Department of Physical Education, University of Mysore, will present the award to Sushmitha, who had won gold medal in kabaddi at the 17th Asian Games held at South Korea during Sept.-Oct. 2014.

The award is sponsored by Soukya Travel & Tours, Saraswathipuram, Mysuru, in association with Rotary Mysore Midtown.

Profile: Sushmitha was appointed to Karnataka State Police through sports quota and posted in Bettadapura Police Station, Periyapattana Taluk.

Now, she regularly represents Police Women’s Kabaddi Team, State Women’s Kabaddi team and National Women’s Kabaddi Team.

She was the captain of Karnataka Junior Kabaddi Team and was a member of South Zone and Karnataka State Team too.

A recipient of Kempegowda Award-2014 and Karnataka Olympics Association Award-2014, she has participated in many National level tournaments, Federation Cup, National Games, Women games and festival games and won numerous gold and silver medals.

Sushmitha is the daughter of Omprkash Pawar, a flour mill owner and Manjula Bai, a homemaker, residents of N.R. Mohalla in city.

Sushmitha is married to Venkatesh Yadav, Proprietor of a photo studio in Bengaluru.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / Monday – February 16th, 2015

Visually impaired strike a chord, win hearts

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

Chennai :

These aspiring singers required no accomplices, not a single musical instrument. Their sole voices would do the job for them once they were handheld and aided to climb the stage. For, they were all visually impaired.

More than 100 students from- Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh endeavoured to hit all the high and low notes at the South Indian Singing Festival 2015 organised by the NGO, Nethrodaya. And it was 20- year- old Bhagyamma a student from Bangalore who was adjudged the best among them for her rendition of a Carnatic based Kannada cinema song and won Rs 50,000 in cash. The second and third winners were both from Chennai. “I don’t know what raaga I sang in, I’m not trained in music, but I have the gift of singing which I don’t want to waste,” says Bhagyamma, a BA History student from Bharat Education Society, Bangalore who has been visually impaired since she was born.

But the man who was placed after her in the third position is Gokula Krishna who has been training in Carnatic music since he was 6. This final year B Com student from Loyola College sang a medley of the popular Rajinikanth song raagangal pathinaru and the recent aanandha yaazhai. Krishna, 20 is also part of Loyola’s light music team. “Parents forced me into learning classical music but I began liking it,” laughs Krishna who now says he wants to make it as a professional singer. Krishna has a condition of low vision but like Bhagyamma he says they are not stumbled by difficulties. “No one deliberately isolates you, if you can mingle with a normal crows, it’s just fine. Fortunately my peers who have vision are friendly and cooperative,” Krishna says.

Six playback singers from Tamil cinema were the panellists who marked them on par with any other singing competition. Social Welfare minister B Valarmathi gave away the prizes. “The purpose was to provide entertainment and competitions for the visually impaired and to make an impact that they are on par with sighted singers,” says Nethrodaya founder C Govindakrishnan known as Gopi to Chennaiites. “The fighting spirit among is prevalent but they have no platform to showcase their talents. This is why we increased the price money to encourage the student community. It is a hope that now other clubs and organisations too will host competitions and fests for them.”

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Chennai / by Divya Chandrababu, TNN / February 22nd, 2015

From Caddie to Professional Golfer : K. Harish

Sports

Star this Week

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Caddies are golfers best buddies. Good caddies say the right things when the chips are down and ease the pressure of golfers. Lugging heavy bags, they walk all over the course, from hole to hole, dripping sweat and taking on the hot sun. A caddies life can be tough but some break out of the shell and make it big as a golfer. Rohtash Singh, Ali Sher were the first caddies in India who turned professional and showed the way to others.

Rags to riches stories have been rarely told in Mysuru golf, but the meteoric rise of city lad K. Harish who started off as a caddie at the JWGC and now being the only professional golfer from the city playing in the PGTI Tour Circuit is one such classic tale. Harish recently taking part in the 2015 PGTI qualifying school-final stage golf tourney held at Eagleton Golf course from Jan. 20 to 23, tied 13th with a four-day aggregate score of 290 (two over course) and qualified for the PGTI tour 2015. He is our ‘Star This Week.’

Harish, 30, used to caddie at the Jayachamaraja Wadiyar Golf Course when he was a nine-year-old for a living (1994). He was a very keen student of the game and learnt the finer points during his caddying days at the Jayachamaraja Wadiyar Golf course. His playing talent was spotted by Dr. Sundarraj and Raian Irani in 1997 and they encouraged him by giving him the permission to play in the course free of charge. He trained under the guidance of coach Sudharshan at the JWGC and improved his game. Harish played his first tournament as a Junior in Coimbatore and won a prize in the second tournament.

Harish improved his game by leaps and bounds and with the support from the JWGC club who have been giving him the needed support for playing as well as financially from then till now, has helped him to improve on his game and he has made a mark for himself in the Circuit.

Previously Rahul Ganapathy (former National Amateur Champion and ace professional golfer) and two caddie turned professionals Prabhu and Srikanta were the only others who played from Mysuru in the professional circuit.

Harish is the son of Krishna and Chikkamma who reside in Gowrishankar Nagar, on the foothills of Chamundi Hill. Harish qualified as a professional golfer in 2006 after securing his card from the qualifying school, played 6 tournaments in the 2007 circuit and it was a learning experience for him. He could not continue playing in the professional circuit due to lack of financial support.

In 2013, once again he started playing regularly and made the cut in three tournaments (the PGTI-Eagleburg Open-46th place, Indian Oil Servo Masters at Assam-36th place and PGTI players championships-Noida-37th place). In 2014, he started off well and gave his best performance of his career in the PGTI tour by making the cut in 7 tournaments. He finished 15th in the CG Open 2014 at the Mumbai Presidency golf course and won a cash prize of 1,45,000 which is his best performance in the tour till date. Presently, he stands 128 in the list of earners in the PGTI tour.

Harish intends to play the 2015 professional tour and starts off his campaign with the Golconda Masters 2015 at the Hyderabad Golf Club from Feb. 26 to Mar. 1. He will also play the PGTI Masters in Cochin and the Ahmadabad leg. He intends to train hard and improve on his chipping and approach shots to the green and aims to perform well in the higher level in the days to come and bring laurels to JWGC, his home club and Mysuru.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Sports News / February 15th, 2015

Ready for a Blast from the Past? Royal Collectible Goes Under the Hammer Today

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

Bengaluru :

A letter penned by Sri Krishnaraja Wadiyar IV of the Mysore royal family, bearing the royal coat of arms in gold glitter, will be the cynosure of all eyes in the city on Saturday as it goes on auction.

The auction is being organised by Marudhar Arts, a licensed auctioneer, as part of the ongoing National Numismatic Exhibition. The “extremely rare” collectible is pegged at a base price of `25,000. It was sent by the ‘Philosopher King’ to Maharaja Sir Bhanwar Pal Deo Bahadur of Karauli (Rajasthan) on October 14, 1917.

The letter is a response to King Bahadur’s letter, which had lauded Wadiyar for conducting the Dasara festival in an excellent manner. Wadiyar’s letter runs thus: “My dear Maharaja Saheb, I thank Your Highness most sincerely for your congratulations to me on my Dasara festival and I hope, as you do, that it may prove an augury of the complete victory of the British Arms. With all good wishes for the health of Your Highness and your family. Your Highness’s sincere friend, Krishnaraja Wadiyar.”

Wadiyar ruled the princely state of Mysore from 1894 till his death in 1940. His rule was billed as `Rama Rajya’ by Mahatma Gandhi and the state was described as the ‘Model State’ by the British.

When asked about the price the letter is expected to sell at, Archie Manu, co-director at Marudhar Arts, did not give an exact figure but expressed optimism that it would fetch a high  amount. He explained that the base price was fixed at `25,000 because it was the sum paid to the collector (name withheld) who had sold Marudhar Arts the letter. His father and co-director Rajendra Manu was more forthcoming. “We already have internet bidders showing interest (to pay) up to `40,000. I am confident of it (highest bid) crossing `1 lakh.”

The auction will be held between 5 pm and 8 pm on Saturday at The Bell Hotel and Convention Centre. The letter is likely to come up for bidding around 7.30 pm, Manu added. Three photos signed by Wadiyar too will be auctioned.

A novel aspect of this auction is the real-time audio and video bidding that will happen simultaneously on the website www.maruuction.com. “This is the first time in Asia this has been done in a numismatic auction,” Manu claimed.

Coin Fetches `6.25L

One gold and one silver coin (sold as one lot) belonging to the reign of Mubarak Shah, fetched the highest price of `6.25 lakh at the expo on Friday. It was among the 348 coins auctioned. It was bought by a North Indian bidder, said Manu. The same dye has been used on both coins and this is something very unique as usually, different dyes are used, Manu told Express. The base price quoted was `6 lakh.

The coins have a quotation from the Quran on the reverse. Another lot, of one gold and one silver coin from the Sultanate era, fetched `4.25 lakh.

“This pair is exceedingly rare and was being offered on auction for the first time ever,” said Archie Manu. The day’s auctioning was described as “good and satisfactory”.

On day two (Saturday), 579 coins will be up for bidding in two auctions.

three-day National Numismatic Exhibition Opens

The interest shown by the country’s youth in numismatics (study or collection of currency) is heartening, said Jan Lingen, regional secretary (Europe) of the Oriental Numismatic Society of London, on Friday.

Delivering the inaugural address at the three-day National Numismatic Exhibition at The Bell Hotel and Convention Centre, Lingen said every coin tells a story of its own. Lingen, who was born in the Netherlands, is known across the globe for his passion for Indian coins, and has written extensively on the subject.

Rezwan Razack, chairman of the Indian chapter of the International Bank Note Society, said the expo offers a platform for coin dealers and collectors from across the country. Overall, 76 numismatic dealers are taking part in the expo. Among the unique pieces on display are two lithographs on the city’s past, including the 1794 piece ‘The East View of Bangalore with Cypress Garden’.

Coins from the Mughal, the Hindu Medieval and the Sultanate eras, old tokens, medals and paper money are on display. The expo is open from 10 am to 6 pm and entry is free.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Bengaluru / by S. Lalitha / February 21st, 2015

State Central Library, 100 years and counting

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Records, All

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The State Central Library, one of the oldest and largest libraries in the country, is all set to celebrate its centenary this year.

The government plans to use this occasion to give a fillip to all State libraries. It also plans to construct a library on the lines of the Anna Centenary Library in Chennai.

After meeting 40 writers and academicians from across the State on Thursday, Minister of State for Primary and Secondary Education Kimmane Ratnakar said the government plans to launch a movement to promote libraries and inculcate the habit of reading among children. “Various writers and academicians from every district took part in the meeting on Thursday to discuss the campaign that will begin in May or June,” Mr. Ratnakar said.

Some of the prominent personalities who attended the meeting were Kannada filmmaker Nagathihalli Chandrashekhar, journalist Ravindra Reshme, and politician and writer B.T. Lalitha Naik.

Satish Kumar S. Hosamani, Director, Department of Public Libraries, said the department would send a proposal to the BBMP and BDA to construct a centenary library building.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Bengaluru / by Tanu Kulkarni / Bengaluru – February 20th, 2015

Rev. Fr. Michael Gonsalves passes away

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

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Mysuru :

Rev. Fr. Michael Gonsalves (61), a Priest of the Diocese of Mysuru, passed away in the early hours here today. Born on Feb. 11, 1954, he was ordained a Priest on April 23, 1982.

Fr. Michael Gonsalves had served as a Priest in Chamarajanagar, K.R. Pet, Kushalnagar, Maradiyoor and presently was serving at Virgin of the Poor Church in Bannimantap, Mysuru.

The body will be kept at Prashantha Nilaya, (opposite Vidyaniketan SVD Seminary), Bannimantap, for the public to pay their last respects.

The body will be brought to Virgin of the Poor Church, Bannimantap, at 8 am on Sunday (Feb. 15) and there will be a Holy Mass for the repose of the soul of the deceased at 8.15 am.

Thereafter, the body will be kept in the same Church for the public to pay their last respects upto 8.30 am on Monday (Feb. 16).

There will be concelebrated funeral mass at St. Joseph’s Cathedral (St. Philomena’s Church), Mysuru, at 10.30 am on Feb. 16 which will be presided by Most Rev. Dr. Thomas Antony Vazhapilly, Bishop of Mysuru. The deceased Priest will be laid to rest at around 12 noon at the Catholic Cemetery on Mahadevapura Road, Gandhi Nagar here, according to Rev. Fr. K.A. William, PRO – Diocese of Mysuru.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / Saturday – February 14th, 2015