City’s Only …

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Sports

B…B…Beat Boxer

Ranjith Gowda
Ranjith Gowda

by  S. Kenneth Shishir and Shalini

Beat-Boxing, a rare form of art, is becoming popular in city, with S.Ranjith Gowda who has performed at a number of occasions is attracting large crowds now in city.

Well, it has nothing to do with gloves and boxing, but yes, with a mike.

Beat Boxing is a form of vocal percussion primarily involving the art of producing drum beats, rhythm, and musical sounds using one’s mouth, lips, tongue, and voice. An evolving art form in India, beat-boxing created a space for itself, particularly amongst youngsters, through online videos and live gigs. In contemporary pop music, the relatively young vocal art form of beat-boxing is an element of hip-hop culture.

Ranjith Gowda, a second year BBM student of Vidyaashram College in city speaking to Star of Mysore said that he actually wanted to be a drummer, but as the drum sets were expensive, he started Beat Boxing after being fascinated by watching it on TV.

He said whenever people listen to beat-boxing, there are two big questions that come up in their minds, What are those noises? And how are they being made? He said the truth about beatbox sounds is that most of them are just tweaked-up or combined sounds of the kind we use in speech, and nearly all the rest are sounds we could use in speech but usually don’t. Anyone can imitate a drum by making “tikatikatikatika poom poom poom” sounds. But when beatboxers do it actually sounds worth listening to.

He said that important elements in becoming a beatboxer are mastering when to breathe. This is a different situation than talking or singing. With so many explosive sounds pushing air out, breathing has to be carefully planned. Another crucial element is the proper way to hold the microphone, if you choose to use one. Different grips are used in the production of different sounds, and in some cases two mikes are used.

Ranjith said that Beat-boxing may also include body percussion as well as vocal percussion, depending on which definition one goes by. However, Human Beatbox defines beat-boxing ‘as the art of producing drum beats, rhythm, and musical sounds using one’s mouth, lips, tongue, voice, nasal passage and throat.’

Claiming to be the only Beat Boxer in city, Ranjith said that he has performed in Mysore, Bangalore, Tumkur and other places, and said that he would be performing in Mumbai next month.

Ranjith spends most of his days performing and during the weekend, he conducts beatbox workshops in city.

Having performed at college fests, Mall of Mysore and private parties, this talented youth in his early 20s has imbibed this art without knowing the ABC of music.

A Music Reality Show on TV, where in this fascinating art form was presented inspired him to learn. To gain further knowledge, Ranjith browsed and listened to Beat Boxing.

Rigorous practice has now made him the only Beat Boxer in city, thus earning him the name ‘Ranjith Gowda Beat Boxer.’

Beat Boxing was his favourite time pass and hobby until he first performed at the College Day function wherein he received a lot of appreciation and turned him into a professional Beat Boxer. Thus began his journey as a beat boxer.

He says, his big moment was during the performance at Dasara Exhibition which fetched him the ‘Best Artiste of the Year’ award and also gave him ample opportunities and kept him busy all the time performing at fests, restaurants, private parties and gigs.

Ranjith has also introduced his own new way of Beat Boxing with Harmonica and Flute in free style and has been given a direct entry to participate in India’s Got Talent Fifth Season for which he will be travelling to Mumbai in the month of November or December for the shoot.

In his advice to youngsters who want to be beat boxers, he said that one should not smoke or consume alcohol as one cannot perform with these addictions and says “Every experience you have is designed to make you stronger.”

You can follow him on facebook or watch his videos on Youtube.

In the realm of taking Mysore to National and International levels, he has stood out in winning the hearts of the crowd wherever he performs.

Ranjith is the son of Shiva, a businessman and T.N.Shantha, a housewife and a resident of Bannimantap.

Ranjith can be contacted on Mob: 89712-57704 or e-mail: ranjith.gowda43@gmail.com.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Feature Articles / by S. Kenneth Shishir and Shalini / September 10th, 2013

Visitors throng Thailand Trade Fair in Bangalore

Business & Economy, World Opinion

Bangalore : (ANI):

A three-day Thai exhibition to improve bilateral trade ties between Thailand and India concluded here today.

Visitors were enthralled by a wide variety of items in the 25 stalls put in the trade fair, ranging from jewellery, footwear, decorative items to eateries.

“There are lots of fresh juices and natural pulp kind of juices so that you can enhance the flavours. There are very nice cute dolls, the artificial jewellery and the real gem stones, which are very expensive and the accessories suits the needs, whatever the ladies are interested in,” said Anisha, a visitor.

The first two days of the exhibition were reserved for display of the products, and sale of these items was opened on the last day of the event.

The sellers from Thailand felt that it was a great opportunity for their market to be spreading wings in India.

“This is the first time that we have come here to Bangalore, India. Our policy is that we would like to expand in the overseas market and last our company expanded to Indonesian market and the ASEAN market already. And right now this is why we would like to try to Indian market. And I think it is a big opportunity for the Thailand market,” said Tania, the owner of a toy stall.

The two Asian countries have maintained diplomatic relations since India gained Independence from the British rule in 1947.

India and Thailand have worked towards strengthening their trade relations in the past few years. Thailand is aiming at increasing trade with India to 16 billion $ by 2014.

According to media reports, bilateral trade between Thailand and India grew substantially in the last 15 years, reaching 8.6 billion $ in 2012.

India is in a free trade agreement (FTA) with ASEAN countries since 2010 that facilitates trade between the ASEAN countries, including Thailand. (ANI)

source: http://www.newstrackindia.com / News Track India / Home> Economy> by ANI / Bangalore – Saturday, August 31st, 2013

Star this week : Ekalavya Awardee : Roller skater Varshsa S. Puranik

Education, Records, All, Sports

VarshaBF

Mysore :

City’s Varsha S. Puranik, a talented roller skater who is a National Champion in the women’s category for the last five successive years, was awarded the prestigious Ekalavya award by the Govt. of Karnataka in a grand function at Raj Bhavan, Bangalore last week. She recently represented India in the World Games 2013 at Cali, Colombia and fared well (finished 16th in 500m road race). She is our “Star This Week.”

Varsha S. Puranik, 25, is a II Year M.D. Microbiology student, JSS Medical College, Mysore. She is the proud daughter of R. Srirama Krishna (retd. IOB) and Thara Srirama. Her elder brother Sri Harsha’s roller skating exploits inspired her also to take up to this sport.

Starting skating at a young age of 3, Varsha began her basics at Bal Bhavan Roller Skating rink under the guidance of Ravi in 1990. She jointed Vishwamithra Roller Skating Club in 1993 and started to train under the guidance of late K. Sridhar Rao at J.K. Grounds. Presently, she is trained under R. Srikanta Rao, a Ekalavya awardee at the Rao’s Roller Skating Club.

Varsha has represented Karnataka in 17 National championships and has emerged as a top roller skater in the junior and senior sections. She emerged as the fastest skater in the country in 2008 and 2010 Nationals.

Varsha first represented the country in the International level in 2001 in the World Inline Speed Skating Championships at France in 2001 (10km race- finished 16th). She got her first Intl. medal when she was part of the Indian relay team which won bronze in 5km relay at the Asian Roller Skating Championships.

In 2003, she represented India in the World Junior Championships at Venezuela (5km race-finished 15th). In 2004, representing India at the 10th Asian Championships at Japan, she finished 4th in the individual event. In 2010, she represented India in the 16th Asian Games at Guangzhou, China (3000m-finished 7th).

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Sports News / September 08th, 2013

City student’s childhood dream takes flight to reality

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education, Nri's / Pio's, Records, All, World Opinion

AjaiRaghavendraBF14sept2013

Mysore :

At the age of two he was declared a winner at the Johnson & Johnson’s healthy baby contest, at three he was crowned the ‘Baby Prince’ at a competition in city and by the time he turned four, he, unlike other kids, was obsessed with planes. He would sketch pictures of aeroplanes and aircrafts every time he got a chance. It is from that tender age that his mind began developing an interest in the world of aeronautics.

“From a very early age he was inclined towards aeronautics,” says Suma Prakash about her 19-year-old son Ajay Raghavendra who has gone on to turn his dream into reality by pursuing studies in the interesting subject of Aeronautical Science in the USA.

Ajay Raghavendra is a youngster from city, who was always fascinated by the subject of aeronautics. He took to everything that was associated with the subject ever since he was in School. His first step towards it began with him joining the NCC air wing as a student at the city’s St. Joseph’s Central School.

“I remember he was declared the best cadet there,” recalls his mother Suma. “Ajay had further drawn inspiration from two of our acquaintances Captain S. R. Swaroop and Captain Aravind Sharma, whom he would meet occasionally when he was student here in Mysore.” And on watching him show so much interest in the field, parents B. M. Prakash and Suma decided to let him pursue higher studies in what interested him most — Aeronautical Science.

“It was totally Ajay’s idea and we in no way interfered as we neither had any idea about the subject nor did we intend to come in his way,” says Suma. Soon after his PUC at Vijaya Vitthala P U College in Mysore, Ajay flew to Florida in USA to pursue an under graduate programme at the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU), to satiate his craving for all things aviation and aerospace.

What’s more, now in the second year of the four year bachelor’s degree programme that he is pursuing, Ajay went on to prove his potential there too. Deemed the best student for his high scores and excellence in academics in the very first year, he has been declared an honours student, according to Suma, who proudly adds: “The subjects he specialises in are meteorology and mathematics and he is a certified flight instructor as well.”

That apart, Ajay is even multifaceted. He happens to be an excellent painter, a trained tabla artiste and a golfer too.

As happy and proud the parents are about their son, so does Ajay feel about his parents as well. When asked about his achievements, he says, “If I am doing something good and interesting today, it is all because of my parents who have stood by me and supported all my decisions wholeheartedly. They have always guided me to choose what I feel is best. I will do my best to live up to their expectations. I still have a long way to go.”

With such unlimited potential, Ajay could truly be an inspiration to many.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Feature Articles / September 08th, 2013

Mangalore to be developed as ICT centres

Business & Economy, Science & Technology

Mangalore :

The Department of IT has ambitious plans for tier II cities in the state. The ICT (Information and Communication Technologies) group has plans to develop Mangalore and six others cities to develop as emerging ICT centres in the state. Also, under the Start-up warehouse programme over 1,000 start ups will be set up in the state.

The other ICT cities are: Mysore, Hubli-Dharwad, Gulbarga, Belgaum, Tumkur and Shimoga. These seven cities will receive special attention from the state to help them develop as next ICT centres, said IT and BT minister SR Patil.

He was speaking after inaugurating conference on ‘Mangalore, the emerging ITE destination’ a satellite event of State’s flagship ICT (Information and Communication Technologies) event Bangalore ITE.biz here on Friday.

Patil indicated that to start with the state will set up incubation centres in these seven emerging cities. He also said that sufficient funds would be provided to development of skills and setting up new talent development centres in these cities. Regarding the start up warehouse programme in association with Nasscom, Patil said there are about 10,000 such start ups planned in the country and about 1,000 would be in the state.

Also, under the Electronic System Design & Manufacturing (ESDM) policy, the state will set up Greenfield and Brownfield clusters. This is as per the recommendations of ICT group, which is on the lines of National Policy on Electronics.

Infosys completes 18 years of its operation in Mangalore

Kris Gopalakrishnan , Chairman, Vision Group on IT and Co-founder and Executive VC of Infosys, recalled his company’s association with Mangalore and said that this was the 18th year of Infosys setting up its shop in the coast.

Mangalore was the first centre outside Bangalore Infosys established. The DNA of this region has the culture of entrepreneurship and business,” he said.

Despite dark clouds over IT industry globally, Indian scenario was robust with a growth of 12% to 14%, which was four times more than global average, he said. He emphasised the need to establish a electronics manufacturing facilities in India which will help the country bridge it’s Current Account Deficit. Regarding trends, he said mobiles and its applications were trending and will contribute to growth if tapped.

He emphasised the need to tap into tier II cities as it had multiple advantages over Bangalore in terms of life style, operations cost and attrition rates.

source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> Citu> Mangalore> Belgaum / by Stanley Pinto, TNN / August 3st, 2013

Dasara of yesteryears cannot be replicated says 96-yr-old Gunamba Nanja Raj Urs

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

GunambaUrsBF13sept2013

Gunamba Nanja Raj Urs, 96, who has donated Rs. 5 lakh to Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan (BVB), Mysore Kendra, to establish a modern Science Laboratory, is a descendent of the Wadiyar family. Her grandmother and Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar’s mother, Vani Vilasa Sannidhana, were sisters. Gunamba, who got married in 1935 to T.B. Nanja Raj Urs, an Assistant Commissioner, is blessed with two sons and a daughter. T.N. Harin Nanja Raj Urs, former President of Mysore Sports Club, is one of her sons. SOM spoke to her at her residence on D. Subbaiah Road here today. Excerpts:

SOM: At 90-plus you look so strong and healthy. What is the secret behind that?

Gunamba: Simple, strict vegetarian diet sans extra spice coupled with gardening to soothe the body and mind.

SOM: The purpose behind your donation to BVB?

Gunamba: I want the students to explore science with better infrastructure.

SOM: What about your education?

Gunamba: No formal education but groomed thoroughly at the Royal School in the Palace premises then, which featured mainly languages — Kannada, English, Telugu and Tamil along with music and other arts. I still remember the Anglo-Indian English teacher Flarigence who was a skilled painter and I too could pick up the skill of the painting art. I can converse fluently in English and I have visited may European countries when I was just 12. Myself and Jayachamaraja Wadiyar grew up together and were class mates at School.

SOM: What about your family?

Gunamba: I got married in 1935 to T.B. Nanja Raj Urs who was an Assistant Commissioner. I have two sons and a daughter.

SOM: Tell us about Dasara then and now?

Gunamba: Dasara of those days cannot be replicated. Now it is just a crowded festival with no discipline. During the Wadiyar’s time Dasara was grand and very meaningful. Being women, we used to watch the grand Durbar in a private enclosure. The Jumboo Savari was marvellous and I still remember once Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar taking along the then Dewan Sir Mirza Ismail with him in the Golden Howdah giving due respect to the Dewan.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / September 07th, 2013

Edinburgh science fest draws Bangalore students in droves

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Science & Technology, World Opinion

Bangalore:

Hundreds of school and college students on Friday flocked to the Edinburgh International Science Festival at the sprawling Bhartiya city in Bangalore for participating in a host of events, workshops and cultural events.

Edinburgh International Science Festival
Edinburgh International Science Festival

Being held for the first time in the country, the 10-day fest is demonstrating a slew of scientific projects and programmes to infuse spirit of enquiry and build scientific temper in the younger generation.

“It is heartening to know that the organizers have chosen Bangalore to host their first science fest in India, testifying the city’s global reputation as a centre of research and development (R&D) and innovations in science and technology,” Karnataka Agriculture Minister Krishna Byregowda said flagging off the event on a cloudy day.

The Minister, who also studied in the US before returning to state and plunging into politics, exhorted the youth to experience the wonders of science in an interactive mode at the fest.

Noting that such festivals kindle children’s interest in science and nurture love for exploring the domain, Indian Institute of Management (IIM-Bangalore) professor Rajiv Gowda said that the country has a rich legacy of science and mathematics since zero was invented and used for the first time by renowned astronomer Aryabhatta during the fifth century AD.

Festival chief executive Simon Gage said that the event would recreate the excitement of Edinburgh’s world famous science fest in India, which is making advances in science and technology.

“The British Council and the Scottish government played an important role in bringing this fest to India,” Gage said.

About 50,000 visitors, including school children and their parents are expected to visit the fest, which will last till September 8.

Among the events being held at the fest include, the Emergency Room (ER) Surgery, where students will gain first-hand experience in the working of an operating theatre and what it’s like to be a doctor. Similarly, at Splatastic, students will explore properties of different polymers and make colourful gooey snakes, observe a liquid-to-solid chemical reaction, produce designer slime and test it on Splatometer.

In Adventure Robots, participants build and control Lego Mindstorm Robots by learning to use basic computer programming software.

“In Math Masters, students learn tips and tricks for super fast mental math calculations and solve puzzles to develop lateral thinking,” Gage noted.

As an educational charity that encourages people of all ages and backgrounds to discover the wonders of the world around them, the Edinburgh fest demonstrates benefits of science throughout the year in partnership with overseas science festivals and an education programme that tours worldwide.

British Deputy High Commissioner Ian Felton, Discover Networks Asia-Pacific vice-president Rajiv Bakshi and Bhartiya group chairman Snehdeep Aggarwal were also present on the occasion.

Discovery Kids, Horlicks Promind, Art Konnect and mycitykids.com are the partners in the fest.

(Agencies)

Source:  http://www.post.jagran.com/ Post Jagra / Home> Indian States News / by  Agencies / August 31st, 2013

Bangalore IT.Biz in October

Business & Economy, Science & Technology

Union minister for communications and information technology Kapil Sibal will inaugurate the two-day Bangalore IT.Biz on October 22, according to SR Patil, minister for IT & BT.

He said the central government has given its nod for the establishment of the Information Technology Investment Region (ITIR) project between Devanahalli and Doddaballapur on 10500 acres of land.

“The state government has issued an order to acquire 2072 acres of land. They would take a decision on the quantum of developed land to be given to farmers,’’ said Patil.

Stating that the central government would be spending around Rs7,000 crore to provide the necessary facilities, he said the proposed ITIR project is expected to provide direct employment for 12 lakh people and indirect employment for 28 lakh people.

Wi-Fi facility
Minister for IT and BT SR Patil said that all arrangements have been made to provide Wi-Fi facility on MG Road and Brigade Road free of cost, for a few hours a day. He said the Wi-Fi facility would be extended to other cities such as Mysore, Hubli-Dharwad and a few places in Mangalore on a pilot basis shortly.

IIIT in Dharwad
The Indian Institute of Information Technology would be established on 50 acres of land in Karnataka University campus in Dharwad with an investment of Rs128 crore, according to Patil.

source: http://www.dnaindia.com / DNA / Home> Bangalore> Report / by DNA Correspondent / Place:Bangalore, Agency:DNA / Sunday – September 01st, 2013

Improvised GPS collars to track pachyderms

Nature, Records, All, Science & Technology

As a first step to address the issue of man-animal conflict, the Karnataka Forest Department has decided to put elephant tracking Global Positioning System (GPS) on four wild jumbos. In fact, an improvised version of the GPS collar developed by the Department of Electronics Study, Indian Institute of Science (IISc) here, would be used.

With this, Karnataka would become the first Indian state to use GPS collars on jumbos, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) G S Prabhu told Express.

The four elephants are from the Bandipur National Park. They have been posing problems in Kodagu and Hassan districts, attacking people and damaging crops. More pachyderms would be collared if the present mission turns a success.

The GPS idea has been employed in Sri Lanka, where 10 elephants were collared. This helped the forest authorities to track their movements and alert villagers much before they entered human habitation, said Prabhu. The GPS is based on a network of satellites using which the location of an object on the ground could be obtained, within a few meters accuracy. So these collars obtain an extremely accurate location for the elephant every four hours, night and day. They then transmit that information (six locations per day) once a day to another satellite that relays it back to the ground. This way, they would give extremely precise data on elephant movements every four hours.

Prabhu said the improvised version of the GPS collars developed by Department of Electronics Study are water-proof, cost effective and have a  better battery life. The collars used by the South African forest authorities were not water-proof, but very expensive. Even the battery life was less. The cost of IISc-developed collar is `1.5 lakh and it weighs less than two kg. The collars would be fixed around the neck of elephants after tranquilising them. Once done, the movements of elephants could be monitored on computers, laptops and even on mobile phones.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Karnataka / by Shyam Sundar Vattam – Bangalore / August 30th, 2013

Karnataka’s Sakala covers record number of 375 services now

About Bangalore(Bengaluru) / Karnataka, Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Records, All

Photo Caption

Bangalore :

For the first time in the entire country, Karnataka has emerged as the path-breaker by offering the maximum number of 375 services under the Sakala scheme of providing guaranteed time-bound delivery of services to the citizens.

The State Government has included another 110 services under the Karnataka Sakala Services Act 2011 on August 16 taking up the total number of services to a record 375, which is the highest in the country.

Karnataka’s Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister T B Jayachandra on Thursday released the progress report of the scheme for the month of July and said 69 services have been made available online.

The minister, however, clarified that the addition of the 110 services could not be announced in view of the election model code of conduct in operation in as many as 9 districts on account of the by-elections to Lok Sabha and Legislative Council.

Important services such as driving learning license, driving license, vehicle registration, duplicate copy of certification of registration, recounting of marks, revaluation of answer scripts, registration of new schools and land registration documents have been made available under the Sakala online.

Department-wise online services that are made available are:

Transport – 5, department of personnel and administrative reforms – 21, primary education and commercial department – 10 each, commerce and industry – 2, Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike – 6, Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board – 3, Bangalore Development Authority – 4, Karnataka Housing Board – 3 and Drugs Control Department – 5.

As many as 110 services of various departments such as public libraries, collegiate education, technical education, university constituent colleges, university post-graduate section, university examination section, university finance section, university academic section, exercise department, Karnataka State Warehousing Corporation, sericulture have been added on August 16.

The department has identified 1800 services to be provided under the scheme to ensure transparency in the delivery of services to the pubic, he said disclosing that the government proposed to add more services in the coming days.

Jayachandra said show-cause notices have been issued against 449 officials who defaulted on providing services within the stipulated time for more than seven times.

A highest number of employees of the Revenue Department (272) followed by Inspector General of Registration (37), Home (26) and Rural Development and Panchayat Raj (11) have failed to provide services in time on than seven occasions, he said.

Chamarajanagar 1st , Udupi 28th

Chamarajanagar stands first while Bidar ranked last among the districts as far as implementation of Sakala scheme, which ensures time-bound service to the public under the Karnataka Sakala Services Act 2011.

The Department of Personnel and Administration Reforms (DPAR) published a report of July 2013 on all districts taking into account their performance.

Ranking is given to districts based on the number of applications received and disposal. While weightage is 70 per cent for number of applications received per lakh population, 30 per cent for disposal.

Jayachandra said 30 districts received 33.15 lakh applications and disposed off 32.45 lakh (98.43 per cent) in July. Delayed disposal for the month stood at 1.53 per cent.

Chamarajanagar continued to remain on the top of the table for the second consecutive month while Mandya and Uttara Kannada ranked second and third respectively while Udupi district was ranked 28.

Bidar secured 30th rank, Belgaum – 29th and Udupi – 28th.  Total number of applications received by Chamarajanagar district was 73,052, Mandya – 1,34,782, Uttara Kananda – 94,938, Bidar – 82,066, Belgaum – 210249 and Udupi – 49,649. The Minister said a competitive environment has been created among districts in the provision of services to the public.

Deputy Commissioners of top performing districts would be given certificates appreciating timely delivery of services, the minister said.

Sakala Mission Director Shalini Rajneesh was present.

source: http://www.daijiworld.com / DaijiWorld.com / Home> Top Stories / by DaijiWorld Special Correspondent / DaijiWorld Media Network – Bangalore /  August 30th, 2013