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Aquaponics model proves a hit at exhibition
Vegetables are grown over an aquarium in it
One can grow vegetables without soil in three separate trays kept on top of an aquarium using the water drawn from below. The water from these vegetable trays goes through pipes back to the aquarium.
This model of aquaponics — a form of aquaculture — developed by the Inland Fisheries Unit of University of Agricultural Sciences, Hebbal, Bengaluru, was among the exhibits that drew attention of people at the exhibition held on Friday at the College of Fisheries as part of its golden jubilee celebration.
Chief Scientific Officer of UAS’s Inland Fisheries Unit B.V. Krishnamurthy said they developed the model to popularise aquaponics in Karnataka. This form of aquaculture was popular in Kerala, he said. Mr. Krishnamurthy said seven different types of fishes, including Nile Tilapia, which is available in the unit, can be used in the acquarium. Lettuces and other high value short duration leafy vegetables can be grown in the trays, he said.
Among the others exhibits that attracted attention included the estuarine cage farming model developed by Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Mangaluru.
Scientist Purushottama G.B. said their cage farming model developed in 2009 has been adopted by several fishermen to harvest snapper (locally called Kemberi) and few other fishes available near estuaries. “Such harvesting helps fishermen earn income during the off season when they do not go to the sea for fishing,” he said.
The exhibition was inaugurated by in-charge Vice-Chancellor of Mangalore University Ishwar P. He also inaugurated the two-day All India Fisheries Colleges Cultural and Sports meet.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Ishwar said the Mangalore University was among the few universities in the country that has a separate sports policy. A separate sports and culture policy was necessary to support younger generation, he said.
Dean (Fisheries), College of Fisheries, H. Shivananada Murthy, said it was the first time that a sports and culture meet of the 30 fisheries colleges in the country was being held. Because of short notice of the event, only eight colleges were attending the meet. Mr. Murthy said the sports and culture meet of fisheries colleges would be an annual feature.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Mangaluru / by Special Correspondent / Mangaluru – December 15th, 2018
St Mary’s Island a new hotspot for cliff diving
Cliff-jumping training will begin on the island from January, 2019.
Udupi :
St Mary’s Island off Malpe beach has been charming visitors for decades. Lately, it is capturing the interest of many because of various water sport activities. If one wishes to let go of all the fear and anxiety and wants to experience the thrill of jumping off a cliff without any strings attached, then one should head to St Mary’s Island. Reason: Cliff-jumping training will begin on the island from January, 2019. On Thursday, four expert cliff divers – Partha Varanasi, Siddharth of Puttur, Antony of Australia and Anusha of Bengaluru successfully dived and sent out the message that St Mary’s Island was also a perfect destination for cliff jumping.
Sudesh Shetty, a leaseholder who is authorised to take up development projects at St Mary’s Island, said Udupi district administration, Tourism Department and Malpe Development Committee arranged Thursday’s cliff- jumping event and four expert cliff divers trained about 10 enthusiasts.
“We are planning to conduct training sessions for those who want to learn cliff jumping from January. Cliff jumping event will be organised in April’’ he said. Master Surfer and Cliff Diver Partha Varanasi said that cliff jumping in St Mary’s Island was safe as the sea there was more than 18 m deep.The divers have the option to jump from the height ranging from 15 feet to 35 feet. As per safety standards, the depth of water should be fifteen feet.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Karnataka / by Prakash Samaga / Express News Service / December 15th, 2018
Theatre actor aims to hit 1,000-play mark
A. Nicholas, noted theatre person from Hassan, who has been chosen by Karnataka Nataka Academy for the Cultured Comedian Award, plans to direct and act in 10 plays. In his career spanning six decades, Nicholas, 68, has played major roles in 990 plays so far. He wants to reach the 1,000 mark.
The academy chose him for the K. Hirannayya Datta Puraskara, meant for actors who played comedians. The son of a policeman, Nicholas began acting at the age of nine. He was given the opportunity to act in plays sponsored by a local church in his school days. He toured different places and performed. When he was 19 years old, he started his own theatre group – Amara Jyoti Kala Sangha. “Those days, a month-long cattle fair was held in Hassan annually. Every year I used the occasion to stage plays. In 30 years, my team staged 280 plays,” he said.
Many established drama companies chose him to play the role of comedian. Besides this, for a few years, he worked as a comedian in Prabhat Circus, a famous circus company. Because of his involvement in theatre, he got in touch with many film actors, who had roots in theatre, and ventured in to cinema as well. He worked as an assistant director for around 25 movies including four directed by Puttanna Kanagal.
Music director Hamsalekha, former Minister and artist Umashree, actors Sunder Raj Urs, Sudhir, and Srinath, are among those who he has worked with in theatre.
“Those days there weren’t as many movies as there are today. We could get work only for six months in a year. Hence, I gave up the field and returned to the theatre,” he said. When there was no invitation to act in theatres, he used to sell sweets or run a cycle shop in Hassan. He gave up studies after SSLC, but obtained MA in Kannada from Karnataka State Open University at 55 and did his diploma in film technology at the age of 60.
He is glad that the academy has recognised his contribution to theatre. “Now, I cannot walk because of pain in my legs. I am confident of regaining my strength and get into acting again and completing 1,000 plays”, he said.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Karnataka / by Special Correspondent / December 17th, 2018
Another milestone for HAL’s light utility helicopter
The light utility helicopter (LUH) of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) took another step towards being inducted in the Armed Forces after its third prototype completed its maiden flight recently.
Bengaluru :
The light utility helicopter (LUH) of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) took another step towards being inducted in the Armed Forces after its third prototype completed its maiden flight recently.
According to HAL, the flight was completed on December 14. “With this achievement, LUH is now close to production clearance and HAL is confident of meeting requirements of the Armed Forces,” said R Madhavan, Chairman and Managing Director of HAL.
According to Arup Chatterjee, Director (Engineering, R&D), the successful flight was a step towards replacing the fleet of Cheetah/Chetak helicopters.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Karnataka / by Express News Service / December 18th, 2018
Agriculture labourer gets Mangaluru Press Club Award
Amai Mahalinga Naik single-handedly drilled tunnels to get water for his land
Amai Mahalinga Naik, who single-handedly worked to irrigate his two-acre land and succeeded in raising a small plantation has been chosen for the Mangaluru Press Club Award, 2018.
Mr. Naik, 73, a resident of Amai village near Adyanadka in Bantwal taluk, was chosen by a panel of Balakrishna Gatti, Vasanth Kumar Perla and Nagaveni Manchi for the award, Club General Secretary Ibrahim Adkasthala said in a release. The award would be presented during the Press Club Day to be celebrated on January 5 at Urwa Church Hall.
An agriculture labourer and expert in climbing areca and coconut palms, Mr. Naik was working in the fields of Amai Mahabala Bhat. Realising his desire to own agricultural land, Mr. Bhat donated him two acres of land four decades ago; but being on hill slopes, it lacked accessibility to water sources.
Unmindful of the obstacles, Mr. Naik began drilling tunnels to fetch water as he was aware open well would not yield any water on the hill slope. He drilled not one, but seven tunnels and at the end, he got water that was suffice to raise his small plantation. He also built a water storage tank digging the ground on the land.
The slope terrain helped Mr. Naik introduce the drip-irrigation network in the field through gravitational force. He was engaged in his routine palm climbing for half a day and spent the rest of his time drilling tunnels. Mr. Naik also fell off a tree 14 years ago. Though he survived the fall, he could no longer climb palms and restricted himself to his field work.
With the help of his wife Lalitha and their three children, Mr. Naik has now raised areca, coconut, banana and pepper crops on one acre of the land and forest in another acre. As many as 300 areca and 75 coconut palms and 200 banana plants are on his field. He only uses conventional manure and does rainwater harvesting on his land. All these measures Mr. Naik implemented without taking any bank loans, depending solely on his work as a labourer.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Karnataka / by Special Correspondent / Mangaluru – December 18th, 2018
Tribal teenage girls to scale western Himalayas
During the expedition, the girls will also engage in other adventure activities like paragliding, rappelling, and river crossing.
Mysuru :
Fourteen-year-old Shilpa’s eyes gleamed when asked about their upcoming trek in the Western Himalayas.
“We have started our practise for the trek. Every morning we run around our school and practise breathing exercises,” said Anjana, a tribal girl studying at the Viveka Tribal Centre for learning, Hosahalli, HD Kote.
Anjana is a part of the 12-member tribal girl’s team that will trek the Western Himalayas in the coming year through a crowd-funded expedition organised by a city-based adventure sports foundation, Tiger Adventure Foundation. According to the organisers at the expedition that is planned for May next year, the girls will trek to the scenic Saurkundi Pass in Himachal Pradesh that sits 14,000 feet above the sea level through Sarsai, Mayalee, Longa Thatch and Lekhni areas.
During the expedition, the girls will also engage in other adventure activities like paragliding, rappelling, and river crossing.“We have only read about the Himalayas. We never thought we will set our feet there. We are already excited about the trip,” said Shilpa who hails from Sera tribal hamlet in Hunsur.Notably, the expedition will be led by 13-year-old Riya Solanki, a Mysurean who is the youngest to scale the Everest Base Camp.
The girls are currently undergoing training for the expedition under the supervision of experts. “They are being trained on a daily basis at their schools as well as at other places like Chamundi Hills, Kunti Hills and Karanji Lake area,” said Suma Mahesh of Tiger Adventure Foundation.According to the organisers, the Mysuru wing of Ladies Circle India has agreed to sponsor the expenditure of a few girls in the team and they are expecting the public to contribute for the initiative.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Karnataka / by Express News Service / December 12th, 2018
The good doctor
Dr Sunil Kumar Hebbi is embarking on a right to health yatra across the country in his mobile car clinic
Dr Sunil Kumar Hebbi’s humanitarian deeds have earned him name and fame. Last month, he was awarded Sri Sathya Sai Award for Human Excellence. Hebbi, however, is not one to rest on his laurels.
After some 700 medical camps across Karnataka and seeing 35,000 patients, he has a new goal in sight — the right to health. In January 2019, the health practitioner is embarking on a health yatra across the country by his car.
“Health is a fundamental human right but is it really so in countries like ours?” Hebbi asks. “According to the National Health Policy 2015, 63 million people face poverty every year. Two million slum children die every year in India. We have one of the highest disease index in the world. What development are we talking about when basic needs such as health is not accessible to people?
Hebbi says Article 21 of the Constitution of India guarantees right to life and education but not health. “A country like Philllipines guarantees right to health to its citizens.”
So, when he travels pan India in his mobile car clinic with just an aide and driver, Hebbi intends to campaign for the right to health. After launching it at the Bengaluru Press Club, Hebbi will go to Kanyakumari from where he will travel to Kashmir by car.
He will go to schools, colleges and universities to spread awareness and also hold medical camps where he will conduct general check-ups.
“Through local activists and NGOs, we are tying up with schools and colleges for venues and the like.
“When we do these check-ups, we will give a health card to people with basic details on it such as blood group, blood pressure, drug allergy, illness, and age.
“These details can come in handy and save time in crisis situations,” says Hebbi, who upon reaching Delhi will hand over a report of his findings collated during the journey to the concerned people in the Ministry of Health.
“We spend 1.25% of our GDP on health but according to WHO, we should be spending 5% of our GDP on health. You make a temple, mosque, anything, I have no issue but also provide us healthcare.”
Born to a farmer in Bijapur, Hebbi was practising on Hosur Road in Bengaluru, until he rescued the life of an accident victim on the road.
“I gave him first aid and took him to hospital. His family called me and said, ‘we want to thank you and feed you’. Their emotions made me realise how badly people need healthcare.”
In 2007, he started Matru Siri Foundation and connected with old age homes, government schools and slums. Since then, every Saturday and Sunday, Hebbi conducts medical camps in these places.
While he treats patients with problems that come under his ambit, patients with serious health concerns or needing surgery are referred to specialised doctors in government hospitals.
Hebbi invites senior doctors to join him voluntarily on the camps. “I first assess the area and the concerns. Once or twice the local MLA has appropriated the camp and made it his show. My doctor friends gave me feedback. We felt disappointed and have tried to steer clear of politicians ever since. We want to make a difference. We are not doing it for effect. Doctors join us voluntarily without any monetary compensation.”
With the help of volunteers, his network of doctors and the money generated from his regular practice, Hebbi says, he manages to run things smoothly. “But even here, I don’t charge more than ₹ 100 to ₹150. I see about 40 to 50 patients daily.”
Health on wheels
Dr. Hebbi’s car operates as a mobile clinic. The project is called Mobile Dr Clinic started in 2010. With a folding chair, table, basic health apparatus and umbrella, Hebbi can set up a temporary clinic anywhere.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Sci-Tech> Health / by Shailaja Tripathi / December 12th, 2018
Two Bengaluru teenagers dribble their way to national football scene
Bengaluru :
Karnataka’s representation in the top two national football leagues (I-League and ISL) has been scarce in recent times. Two Bengaluru boys, however, are dreaming of changing the scene in near future. Vishnu Sunil and Hrishikesh Sanadhi were recently called up for the U-15 National Team high-performance programme underway in Odisha.
“The camp is really challenging. It was difficult to adjust to the conditions initially as the level and tempo of the training were very high. But we got adjusted slowly,” Sunil said.
The six-feet tall centre-back defenders from Bangalore Youth Football League (BYFL) academy are not regular kids jostling on a football pitch to have fun. The 15-year-olds are as serious as professional footballers donning the national jersey. When boys of their age go out and binge on junk food, they stick to dietary plans made by the academy nutritionist. “We avoid eating outside and even if we do, we work out in the gym or on the pitch to burn those calories. Staying fit is important for footballers and we are serious about that,” said Sanadhi.
Both Sunil and Sanadhi have had overseas exposure. Their fathers’ job profiles helped them get international experience at an early age. Sunil started training in China and represented his school team till he turned 12, before moving to Nigeria where he played in the West African International School’s Athletic League. Sanadhi, similarly, started playing in Belgium in 2010 and got selected for Football Academy Royal Racing Club, Etterbeek for the 2013-14 season. Back in Bengaluru, they joined BYFL academy and have impressed their coach Salim Pathan since.
“Vishnu is a well-disciplined boy. He is getting matured as a centre-back. He is very effective in aerial balls and is good in tackling. He has an eye for goal and has scored many goals in free-kicks. He has a good future as a leader of the team,” Pathan said. “Hrishikesh is very good technically. He reads the game very well and final tackle is his speciality. He has a good passing ability with aerial and ground balls.”
Despite praise from their coach, both the boys are grounded. The fans of Real Madrid and Spain centre-back Sergio Ramos aim to become professional footballers in future and being in the U-15 National Team high-performance programme, they are aware of the hard work they have to put in every day, without hampering their studies.
Thus, they are mastering time management skills to stay ahead of their peer group. “Although professional football is our target, it’s also important to study. It takes me around three hours to return home from the training ground and I utilise that time to prepare my homework and study,” said Sanadhi, a class 10 student. Both will be playing for BYFL U-15 team in the upcoming Junior League.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Bengaluru / by Krishnendu Banerjee / Express News Service / December 10th, 2018