Faiz Siddique Interview: “Bangalore shows lots of enthusiasm towards polo”

Leaders, Sports

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He has been on the polo circuit for over a decade now. Having trained himself in one of the best stables in Argentina, Major Faiz Siddique is an ambitious man. He aims to make Bangalore a Polo loving city, and is tirelessly working towards it at least until his posting lasts here. He is passionate about horses and he displays the same when he is saddled up for a game of polo.

In a free-wheeling chat with Sportskeeda, he talks about the polo season that began in Bangalore today and about Bangalore’s interest in the sport…

Can you explain about the arena polo since it’s not what’s played at a competitive level?

It’s more like an exhibition match. We start at around 7 in the morning and it goes on till 10pm. The fact that it is played under lights gives this a festive atmosphere, and with the DJ playing in the back and a fashion show after the match, will only add to the glamour. Arena polo is played on a smaller ground and hence gets easier for first timers to follow the sport better.

What’s the response you get for polo in Bangalore?

People in Bangalore have shown a lot of enthusiasm. The response to Polo is improving by the passing year. They want to come ride, learn polo and even want their kids to pursue the sport.

Is the event restricted for civilians?

There is no restriction for civilians to come watch the matches. You know, when there’s any event happening in an army establishment, civilians hesitate to come. Especially when you refer to polo, people presume that it can’t be free of cost. The army is not charging any entry fee and anyone can come watch the matches. The whole purpose of hosting the season here is to promote the sport among civilians.

Can you elaborate on the growth of polo in Bangalore?

When I started off in Bangalore, there were fewer kids. But over the past year and a half, we have been able to build a team of 15 players who can play good polo. This number is more than what we had seen in the past 15 years put together. We have even taken six of the best players to play in Hyderabad and Delhi to gain exposure.

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Is there anyone from Bangalore with a non-army background who has taken to the sport and done well?

Well in the Indian circuit, Dhruvpal Godhara and Manupal Godhara are good examples of civilians taking to the sport. Speaking of Bangaloreans, This boy called Pranav Kapoor picked up the sport inspired by what he had seen during one such Bangalore polo season. He recently moved to Delhi and bought five horses. Sahara hired him to play for their team and he was to play in Delhi, Jaipur, Jodhpur and Mumbai, but unfortunately suffered an injury during the game in Jaipur and had to pull out of the event.

Since you mentioned injury, isn’t this a big worry for parents who want their kids to pursue the sport?

Well yes, injury is a worry. It is a dangerous contact sport. There is an element of fear, but if you train well enough, the chances of getting hurt is reduced drastically.

Can you tell us about how you got into the sport?

Since I grew up during an era when television played Tippu Sultan, I was drawn towards horses and fancied riding them. When I joined the National Defence Academy (NDA) when I was 19, I had an opportunity to learn riding and that’s when I discovered my interest towards polo.

Don’t you find it pressurising to balance playing polo and pursuing a job of a soldier?

Well, when I am posted in the field like in the borders, etc., I can’t dedicate time for polo. But whenever I have the time, I’d love to be playing the sport. There is no pressure at all. For me, it couldn’t have gotten better.

source: http://www.sportskeeda.com / Home> All Sports> Polo> Interview / by N S Kumar , Correspondent  / April 09th, 2013

City students bag 2nd prize for Hybrid Bicycle

Education, Records, All, Science & Technology

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Mysore  :

 The students of final year Automobile Engineering Department of D.Banumaiah’s Polytechnic in city, who participated in the ‘Do-it-Yourself’ State-level Project Exhibition, organised jointly by BCN Polytechnic, Lakshmeshwar in Gadag and Board of Technical Education, Bangalore, won the second prize for their Hybrid Bicycle concept for the academic year 2012-13.

The city students, who have developed the Hybrid Bicycle are S. Harish, Idrish Pasha, H.P. Praveen Sharma, V. Srinivasa, Syed Ummer, J. Nagaraju and H.M. Narayana. They were guided by A.R.Nanda Kumar and HOD B. Lakshminarayan.

The Hybrid Bicycle runs with the help of both petrol and solar energy. The advantages of this bicycle are: rapid developments in hybrid technology to improve engine efficiency, reduces pollution, helps reduce dependency on fossil fuels which directly affects fuel prices, powered by an electric motor and a small internal combustion engine, gives better mileage and are much cleaner than normal vehicles with lesser CO and other green house gas emission.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / April 12th, 2013

An astronomical wonder

Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Records, All, Science & Technology
The phenomenon is a testimony to the fact that our ancient sculptors were extremely knowledgeable in the areas of astronomy and architecture | EPS
The phenomenon is a testimony to the fact that our ancient sculptors were extremely knowledgeable in the areas of astronomy and architecture | EPS

Most people in Karnataka are aware of the ancient astronomical observatories at Stonehenge in England, Newgrange in Ireland, Temple at Karnac in Egypt, Machu Picchu – Intihuatana Stone in Peru and the Jantar Mantar in Delhi but are oblivious to the astronomical wonder in the ancient cave temple of Gavi Gangadhareshwara atop a small hillock in Basavanagudi, Bangalore.

A celestial happening marks the Makara Sankranthi every year and the sun rays illuminating the South-facing idol inside the cave, indicates the shift of the Sun’s movement northwards (Dakshinayana to Uttarayana). In the evening, as the sun sets in the west, sun’s rays falling from the south-western part of the temple passes through an arch and a couple of windows placed perpendicular to each other and later through the horns of the Nandi(the bull mount of Lord Shiva) to fall on the idol of the temple for about 15 minutes(4.55 pm to 5.15 pm). It is as though the sun himself pays homage to Lord Shiva while welcoming Makara Sankranthi.

The phenomenon is a testimony to the fact that our ancient sculptors were extremely knowledgeable in the areas of astronomy and architecture. In the courtyard of the temple, there are mysterious monolithic stone structures – two large vertical discs on pillars, a large trident of Shiva, a small two-headed drum and two fans.

It is believed that such discs are not found in any other temple in Karnataka or south India. Their significance has been explained recently by scientists Dr.Jayanth Vyasanakere and Dr. B S Shyalaja of the Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium, Bangalore, who have come to the conclusion that this temple has astronomical significance.

The study published in Current Science Journal opines that Suryapana and Chandrapana have been positioned for astronomical observations in the medieval period. The shadow of the bronze pillar (Dvajastamba) falls on the eastern disc for 40 minutes. The two discs have been installed in alignment to the summer solstice sunset and that explains the significance of the phenomenon on Makar Sankranti.

The discs stand parallel to each other a few metres apart. They have ornate sculptures of bulls appearing to support the weight of the discs and two perpendicular lines that intersect at the centre of the disc. “This kind of arrangement cannot be seen anywhere in the world. The arrangement is made specifically for astronomical purposes.” Dr. Shylaja explained.

Researchers believe that this apparatus was used to precisely mark the solstices and hence, measure time and their deductions which are based on marking the shadow of the western disc till the ‘last possible minute’ (which was around 40 minutes before the actual sunset) and then predicting the situation at the time of sunset.

The alignment of the arch, windows and Nandi to ensure that the sun’s rays fall on the idol on Jan 14th and the alignment of the two discs to summer solstice sunset is a fact that was unknown till now. The walls and windows have also been built in such a way that the light should reach the cave on Jan 14th.

Dr. S.K.Aruni of the Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR) speculates that the cave was initially occupied by Jain monks by comparing the secluded location of the cave with similar ones in Sravanabelagola and Melkote. As per historical sources, this belief is supported by the dominance of Jainism in the region in the early part of the second millennium AD.

Later, it is believed that Kempegowda built the structures that are seen today in the early part of the 17th century, introducing the illumination event and making it a Shaivite temple.

The monolithic structures, the stone umbrella (Chatri) adjacent to the temple and a watch tower (Kavalu-Gopura) point to that fact. Legends shroud the presence of a dark tunnel going into the bowels of the hill.

Ardent devotees believe that there are actually two of these tunnels; one goes all the way to the north of India, to the City of Shiva, Varanasi, and the other to a temple town, Shivaganga, 50 km north-west of Bangalore. However this has not been proved but a tunnel exists on the banks of Kempegowda’s Kempambudhi tank, a few hundred metres away.

A high-walled prakara surrounds the cave temple considered a fine piece of Indian rock-cut architecture of the 9th century. In addition to a monolithic idol of Lord Shiva made of granite, the temple houses a rare idol of Agni, the fire god.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Bangalore / by Dr.Mamatha B R – Bangalore / April 11th, 2013

Remembering …: Sheila Irani : She brought futuristic change to school education

Education, Leaders

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She was an educationist, philanthropist, mother and a great personality who was loved by her students and employees. She was one of the most respected personalities among her friends’ circle. Though it is 10 years since she left for her heavenly abode on April 10, 2003, late Sheila Irani still lives on in the hearts of every student who had an opportunity to study in Ideal Jawa Rotary Children’s School of which she was the Principal and Correspondent for more than three decades. Here is a tribute….

Born on June 6, 1922 at Nainital in the then Uttar Pradesh (presently the city is located in Uttarakhand) to George Egbert Ferguson and Una Maud Ferguson, Sheila got trained herself as a nursery teacher in St. Margaret’s College, Bombay. She taught in Delhi, before shifting to Mysore in 1951 following her marriage to Farrokh K. Irani, Founder of Ideal Jawa factory. While F.K. Irani looked after the business, Sheila Irani spent most of her time teaching children. She started Ideal Jawa Rotary Children’s School on January 25, 1968 which went on to become one of the prestigious schools in Mysore.

Sheila Irani was not only involved in teaching students, but also in many charity programmes along with Farrokh Irani. Many organisations were beneficiaries of their services and both Sheila Irani and Farrokh Irani became household names in Mysore. She also volunteered to serve as a nurse during the Second World War.

Sheila Irani was conferred with the Viceroy’s Certificate of Merit for her service in St. John’s Ambulance Corps. She was also the President of Inner Wheel Clubs of India and Sri Lanka during 1980-81 and also the member of International Board of Inner Wheel at London. She served as the Senior Vice-President of All India Anglo-Indian Association, Delhi.

Sheila Irani was the Vice-President of Chamundi Children’s Home and Orphanage which she looked after for more than 25 years. She regularly visited Lepers’ Colony on Nanjangud Road and served them with love and affection. The Irani couple was blessed with three children — Raian F. Irani, Maureen Fernandez and Kairus F. Irani.

Speaking to Star of Mysore, Swarna Chittaranjan, Principal, Ideal Jawa Rotary Primary School, said that Sheila Irani was a highly respected personality in Mysore who believed that money was not the criteria to help the poor. During her visits to Lepers’ Colony she used to serve them with her own hands and clean their wounds which showed her motherly affection towards the downtrodden.

“She encouraged students to read books and took utmost care of their overall development. Even today we have been following her footsteps and working continuously to maintain the standard she has set for the school. I feel really proud to be sitting in her seat,” said Swarna Chittaranjan.

Many of her staff members still remember her and pay rich tributes to Sheila Irani for her services to the field of education and society. Raghavendra, Manager of the School, said it was a proud feeling to have worked with Sheila Irani. In his words, she was a dynamic and daring personality who made her staff work hard to provide quality education to students. “We are proud to say that whatever we are today it is because of her and the school. She always used to think about the school and work for the betterment of students by encouraging them in both academics as well as extra-curricular activities,” said Raghavendra.

Shelia Irani gave a lot of importance to arts and crafts and made sure that every student is taught arts and crafts while in school. In fact, there was a separate class for primary school, where teachers taught the kids to create different art works. There was also a drawing class for the higher primary school. The crafts and art works by students were displayed in school every year during the ‘Open Day’ which was started by Sheila Irani to mark the opening of the school on January 25, 1968.

The fun part was in the Lower Kinder Garten (LKG) where children were left to play the whole day. She made sure that he children had fun during LKG and only in the last hour they were taught alphabets and nursery rhymes. Children were served with snacks and milk during school hours to provide them with homely atmosphere. She was truly a mother who took care of her students.

Anne D’Monte and Lawrence D’Souza, former Head Mistresses, Ideal Jawa Rotary Children’s School, shared their experiences with SOM by paying rich tributes to their beloved Sheila Irani ma’m. According to them, Sheila Irani was humble hearted and straight-forward. “She took special care of students, especially the differently abled children and those below the standard mark. She also checked the food the children were eating and made sure that they had nutritious food. She always thought about the school and overall development of the students,” they added.

At the time when Rotary School was at its prime, Sheila Irani gave importance to differently abled children. There are examples of many differently abled students having studied in Ideal Jawa Rotary Children’s School and reach respectable positions in their professional life.

Ann Lillian Ratna and Jane Kunder, both teachers at Ideal Jawa Rotary Primary School, said that Sheila Irani was a gem of person with humble heart but at the same time very strict too. They said that she respected everyone and treated everyone equally. “As teachers we learnt to be punctual, honest and sincere towards our profession. She has been a model for all teachers in the school who made sure that right methods were used by teachers to teach the children,” they recalled.

To give an example of Sheila Irani’s generosity, she used to charge a mere Rs. 30 per month as school fee and for children with special ability Rs. 15 was collected. She always believed that parents should not be taxed in the name of school fee.

Sharing her experience with Sheila Irani, Anuraga Gowtham, an alumni of Ideal Jawa Rotary School, said that when she was in Class 6, five Guides were selected to participate in a camp out of which two students could not afford to attend the camp. When Sheila Irani got to know about it, she sponsored the entire camp for all the five Guides. Anuraga also said that every time during the stitching class she used to visit the class and insist that all girls learnt stitching. In fact there was one occasion when she scolded a few girls for not practicing their stitching.

Recognising her services to the field of education and society, she was nominated as the member of Legislative Assembly for two terms between 1969 and 1978. She was even nominated as the member of Lok Sabha during 1995-96 as a representative of Anglo-Indian community in the country. She was the Senate member of University of Mysore between 1993 and 1995.

Sheila Irani was the Trustee of Holdsworth Memorial Hospital (Mission Hospital), Board of Management member of P.K. Sanatorium in Mysore, Advisory Committee Member of K.R. Hospital, Trustee of Ideal Jawa Rotary Physically Handicapped Trust and Rotary Children’s Library Association. She was also a member of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan-Mysore Kendra, Member of Mysore Agenda Task Force (MATF), Executive Member of Frank Anthony Public School, Bishop Cotton School and Cathedral School, all in Bangalore and Laidlaw Memorial School in Ooty. She was a member of Mysore Race Club Charitable Trust.

Sheila Irani was so fond of her school even during her days in hospital, she told her teachers that she would be back in the school soon to inaugurate the new nursery block. Unfortunately, she breathed her last on April 10, 2003, which is also the last working day of the academic year.

Many of her students, colleagues and friends remember her even to this day and pray for her soul to rest in peace.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com /Star of Mysore / Home> Feature Articles / by  S. N. Venkatnag Sobers  / April 10th, 2013

‘Shreshta Kala Pracharak’ award to Dr. Vasundhara

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Records, All
Dr. Vasundhara Doraswamy
Dr. Vasundhara Doraswamy

Mysore :

Ganesa Natyalaya, New Delhi, headed by Bharatanatyam legend Padmasri, Kalaimamani Guru Saroja Vaidyanathan has selected noted danseuse Dr. Vasundhara Doraswamy of Mysore for the prestigious “Shreshta Kala Pracharak” award for her rich contribution to her chosen art of Bharatanatya. She is the one and only Danseuse from Mysore, Karnataka to receive this Award.

The award will be presented to her at a function on Apr. 12 at 6.30 pm at No.1, Copernicus Marg, Mandi House, Delhi, according to T.R.Harish, Managing Trustee, Vasundhara Performing Arts Centre Trust, Mysore.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / April 09th, 2013

Mysore railway workshop : Only one in the country that manufactures train brakes

Business & Economy, Records, All, Science & Technology
Railway Workshop's Deputy Chief Manager P.A. Salahuddin (extreme left) is seen explaining about the components of Composite Brake Block while senior Section In-charge Ananth Kumar and Railway Workshop Chief Manager U. Subba Rao (extreme right) look on. Picture right shows Subba Rao pointing at the latest model of Disk-Wheel Brake of a LHB bogie.
Railway Workshop’s Deputy Chief Manager P.A. Salahuddin (extreme left) is seen explaining about the components of Composite Brake Block while senior Section In-charge Ananth Kumar and Railway Workshop Chief Manager U. Subba Rao (extreme right) look on. Picture right shows Subba Rao pointing at the latest model of Disk-Wheel Brake of a LHB bogie.

Among the many feathers in the cap of Mysore city — as the first of its kind in the entire nation — is the Railway Workshop in Ashokapuram where Composite Brake Blocks (CBBs) for trains are being manufactured on a large scale, sufficient to meet the demands of South Western Railways (SWR).

Among the 17 units of the Railways across the country, Mysore Railway Workshop is the only one which manufactures CBB, while the rest outsource them from private companies, said U. Subba Rao, Chief Workshop Manager, in an exclusive interview with Star of Mysore yesterday.

He said that the Railway Workshop in Mysore, established in 1924, took up the initiative of manufacturing the CBB around 12 years ago. However, it got the official clearance from Railway Ministry only last year. Till last year, the workshop had produced 75,000 CBBs while this year, it had touched one lakh, said Rao and added that the Mysore Workshop had won the Railway Minister’s second Best Innovation Award for the year 2012.

“The CBB is lighter in weight compared to the conventional cast-iron tread brakes and is less harsh on the wheels, thus enhancing their longevity. Life span of each brake component is around three months or nearly one lakh kilometers,” said Rao.

Deputy Chief Workshop Manager P.A. Salahuddin and Senior Section In-Charge of the CBB workshop, Ananth Kumar, explained about the CBB manufacturing process.

The Railway Workshop at Mysore was established as a Base Workshop of the erstwhile Mysore State Railway in 1924. With the formation of integrated Southern Railway in 1951, this workshop became part of Southern Railway.

Other activities of the workshop include periodic overhauling of all types of BG coaches, refurbishment of coaches, intermediate overhauling of bogies, manufacturing of toy trains and conversion of coaches.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / by K.M. Chengappa / April 09th, 2013

LISAA School of Design launches its Second School in Bangalore

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education, World Opinion
New Delhi:
 Lisaa is a premier French design school based on founding principles of French design and aesthetics with multiple schools located in Paris, Nantes, Rennes and Strasbourg.  In India, Lisaa School of Design established its first institute in 2011 in Gurgaon. This has been followed by the recent launch of its second institute in Bangalore in March 2013, which saw Bollywood actress Nargis Fakhri add her Midas touch to the star studded affair.
Ms. Nargis Fakhri had this to say “I am immensely pleased to be associated with this launch. Before a lot of students would go overseas to gain that much required work experience due to which we had missed out on many good talents. Thanks to Lisaa School of Design, Bangalore, students can gain the same expertise and skills sitting in India. I extend my heartiest congratulations to Lisaa Bangalore and wish the management all the very best for this venture.”
Lisaa School of Design, Bangalore is the city’s first ever branch of the acclaimed Paris based French design school. With a far sighted vision for quality education in design, Creo Valley has ventured to bring forth Lisaa School of Design, a globally reputed institute in the creative field of design to Bangalore.
Lisaa School of Design partners with world renowned universities such as the Rochester University and over 50 design schools globally. In addition, it has an association with prominent brands like Eurodisney, BNP Paribas, Louis Vuitton Moet Hannessy (LVMH), Saatch & Saatchi, and Christian Dior just to name a few.
source: http://www.indiaeducationdiary.in / India Education Diary / report by India Education Bureau, New Delhi / Thursday, April 04th, 2013

Hon. Professorship conferred

Education, Records, All

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Mysore :

In consideration of their services in the field of music, two eminent personalities, Prof. Mysore V. Subramanya, senior art critic and musicologist, great grandson of Veene Seshanna and Nadoja Dr. Mahesh Joshi, Additional Director General of Prasara Bharathi, Bangalore were conferred Honorary Professorships by the University of Tumkur in a glittering function held at the University premises on Apr. 4.

The honours were conferred on them by Dr. S.C. Sharma, Vice-Chancellor of University.

The chief guest of the function was Swami Veereshananda Saraswathi, the head of Ramakrishna Mission, Tumkur and was chaired by the VC.

Prof. Shivalingaiah and N. Lakshmikanth, Registrar of the University, were present.

In reply to the honours received, Prof. Subramanya requested the University to constitute a Chair in the name of Veene Seshanna in Instrumental Music for which he would donate Rs. 1 lakh.

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

Mumbai: Billava Sangha Kundapur women’s wing office bearers elected

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Records, All

Mumbai :

The office bearers of Billava Sangha, Kundapur women’s wing were elected during a meeting held at Bhai Kabhi Bhai hall held recently.

The election meeting was presided over by Manjunath Billava Shirooru, president of the Sangha.

The elected office bearers are as follows: Santhoshi S Poojary as honorary president, Sushila S Poojary as working president, Sumathi S Poojary as vice president, Rekha S Billava as vice president, Susheela S Poojary by secretary, Susheel S Poojary as joint secretary and Suganda S Poojary as joint secretary.

The executive committee members who were selected are as follows: Shakunthala S Poojary, Yashoda N Poojary, Girija K Hokkolli, Vimala S Poojary, Babi R Poojary, Seetha G Poojary, Sharada M Poojary, Vishalaakshi C Poojary and Lalitha S Poojary.

Speaking on the occasion, working president Susheela S Poojary said that the women’s wing will put in their efforts to strengthen the party and will organize several programmes in future.

K N Hukolli, former president, KD Poojary, Anand M Poojary, ST Poojary, NG Poojary, Sudhakar C Poojary shared the dais and congratulated the elected members.

Soorya S Poojary, chief secretary welcomed the gathering while Ashok N  Poojary delivered the vote of thanks.

Sanjeeva Poojary, vice president, Rajeeva Poojary, treasurer, Ashok Poojary, joint secretary, Laxman Poojary, joint secretary, Nagesh Billawa, joint treasurer, Jagannath Poojary, joint treasurer, committee members SK Poojary, Sadanand Poojary, Ranga Poojary, B A Billawa, Raghavendra Poojary, Poornima Poojary among others were present.

source: http://www.daijiworld.com / Daiji World / Home> Mumbai / by Rons Bantwal / Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai (VM) / Tuesday, April 02nd, 2013

‘BS’ Special Show URA Attend

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

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The premiere show of national award winning Kannada film ‘Bharath Store’ was attended by Jnanapith award winner Dr U R Ananthamurthy with his wife and another notable dignitary was Padmasri Dr Girish Kasaravalli at Renukamba Digital theatre in Malleswaram Bangalore.  BS Lingadevaru director of award winning Kannada film ‘Mouni’ was also present.

The idea what director P Seshadri had developed for this film is not lost. He has not given importance to the emotions but carried the idea till the end. As a writer what I feel is that it is difficult to maintain it till the end. The purpose for which the film is made is carried out. We need at least eight directors like P Seshadri to keep up the offbeat thoughts presentation on silver screen in a meaningful way disclosed Jnanapith award winner Dr UR Anantha Murthy.

Dr Girish Kasaravalli also lauded the good work of his junior colleague P Seshadri who is on a winning spree at the national level. Seven films of P Seshadri have got the national awards makes him another pinch hitter like Padmasri Dr Girish Kasaravalli.

source: http://www.indiaglitz.com / IndiaGlitz / Wednesday, April 03rd, 2013